Support brings abused dog a better life

GRAVENHURST - An abused dog is on her way to a better life with the love of a Gravenhurst teen and the support of the community.
Brooke Miller brought home a skinny, flea-ridden dog with what appeared to be a dislocated shoulder after she saw it living in deplorable conditions.
Her own dog had recently died and she wasn’t ready for another one to take its place, but she felt she couldn’t leave the vulnerable animal with the crippled foot in living conditions where it had to fight other dogs for its food
After a trip to the vet, Miller found out the crippled foot was more serious than she’d thought - Trixie had arthritis in her left front leg and would need her right front leg amputated.
The vet bills were far more than she would be able to afford with her Walmart job as a cake decorator, so she turned to the community for help. Through fundraising boxes in stores throughout Gravenhurst and through the newspaper, Miller was able to raise $2,000, enough money for the amputation.
Initially she was looking for $2,618.05 for the amputation, but after a change in vets, that amount was brought down to $2,000. The clinic also decided to spay the dog free of charge.
Barbara Ann Chidiac, owner and vet at Chidiac Animal Hospital in Gravenhurst, said she is impressed with everything Miller and her family has done for the dog.
She said Trixie is a naturally happy dog, who doesn’t know life without the pain in her front leg, but said Trixie will be even happier when her leg is removed.
“She’s already not using it ... Animals don’t ever complain and then when you take away what was bothering them, they’re a lot happier,” she said.
Initially there will be more pain. On top of the operation, Trixie’s monthly arthritis medication is on hold until after the operation so it doesn’t interfere with the amputation.
Carl Milson, a family friend, is taking a video of the surgery on March 19 for part of a documentary he is creating on Brooke and Trixie.
He was drawn to the family when he saw them standing by a donation box in the grocery store.
“We felt really interested to try to bring awareness and help raise further funds for the procedure,” he said.
Milson seeks to help animal rescue and help fundraise while also creating reality documentaries on everything pet-related, from surgical procedures to healthy nutrition. He praised Brooke’s efforts in creating a better life for Trixie.
Through the video, he said he’s hoping to show there are people who are trying to make a difference in animal welfare and “have gone beyond the call of duty in rescuing this dog even though they were not in the position of being able to afford what was required medically in the welfare of this dog.”
After the amputation, Trixie is expected to be able to go off her pain medication, though she will still need shots for her arthritis, while the family looks into ways to help heal her left front paw.
Brooke said many people consider Trixie a celebrity now and she is thankful to everyone who has helped them afford the amputation.
She would especially like to thank the Bracebridge Animal Hospital, Chidiac Animal Hospital, Sobey’s, Your Independent Grocer in Bracebridge and Gravenhurst, Paws for the News, Cogeco TV, Gravenhurst Tapes, Rickshaws, Top Dog , Subway, Tom Oake, Pet Value, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware, Winewood Variety, Shane and Carl, and Gravenhurst Bakery.

Small - Large
|
Print
|
Email
|
|