Dogsey

A puppy, thought to be about five-months-old and in need of veterinary care, has been saved, thanks to the compassion of strangers. Buddy, a part-labrador, was found whimpering and shivering in the cold outside a rest room along Interstate 81, USA, on Christmas day. Randy Thomas took the puppy with him but because his apartment building doesn't allow dogs, he went to a doughnut shop to phone around and see if he could find someone to take Buddy.

Jeff Bacon could not take Buddy, already having three dogs. However, he thought perhaps one of his family members might. His son and niece, Kirsten Bacon, brought Buddy back to Jeff's house. Kirsten's mum wouldn't take him in at her home on Bent Mountain so Kirsten, realising that Buddy needed a veterinary check up and treatment, decided to make this her responsibility while she was on her winter holiday from school.

Kirsten took Buddy to Harris Animal Hospital on December 28. Buddy was checked over, de-wormed and vaccinated at a cost of $63. However, when Buddy became ill a day later – listless, refusing to eat and sick – Kirsten returned to the vet who'd treated him. Lucinda Hodges diagnosed an intestinal blockage and broke the news that Buddy needed an operation or would have to be put to sleep. Hodges explained that the condition is common in puppies, especially following a worm problem and poor nutrition. Aware that Kirsten is a college student with little money, she assured her that she'd work with her, so Kirsten agreed to the operation. The operation ended up costing $700.



Kirsten has two part-time jobs but couldn't afford the $700 vet bill. However, a keen hiker, she writes a blog on the subject, as well as a personal blog. Telling Buddy's story in the blogs, she asked for donations to help with the cost of his treatment. Within just a few hours, she received an amazing amount of $3039 from around 400 generous people, one $220 donation coming from Portugal, and, overwhelmed, she had to post, requesting that people stop.

Buddy's operation was a success and his prognosis is “excellent”. Lucinda Hodges said: “He was very, very lucky to have had surgery that night. By the next day it could have been too late to save him.”

Kirsten plans to save some of the leftover donations for Buddy's future veterinary care and donate the remainder to an animal welfare group. Her mum has now agreed to have Buddy with her until Kirsten finishes school and finds a home where she can live with Buddy.