FOR LOVE OF DIXIE In recent days most of you have seen the paralyzed dog named Dixie and watched her finally find her family. Most of you may remember her story, but I know we have a lot of new friends, so I will re-cap for you. Dixie was barely past her puppyhood and lived with her “moms” in the country in Bladen County, NC. One morning she went out into her backyard to “do her business,” and her mom went back in the house to get something she had forgotten. As we often hear in cases of accidents and even child abductions: It was only a moment. And that is all it took. (A SPECIAL NOTE: The following is an account of the incident based on what we have learned since it happened, and based on what the vet determined. At the time, there were a lot of debates and outright arguments surrounding this and we may never know exactly what happened. I am not trying to reignite the debates or arguments. It is history now and Dixie is living with what happened to her. I guess what I want everyone to remember is IT HAPPENED TO DIXIE. THIS IS ABOUT HER. It is not about who’s to blame and who should have been doing what. That is for the humans involved to hash out and to live with. Dixie was hurt and that’s the bottom line, so please, let’s keep it there and not on who’s to blame. EVERYONE INVOLVED felt terrible after the fact.) Dixie was well-known in the area and had made friends with all the neighbors. The neighbor with the chickens had petted Dixie and she saw him as her friend. So on this morning when she made her way toward the neighbor’s house, she did not sense the danger that was waiting. She saw the chickens in their pens and began to bark at them. The neighbor came out and says he was worried about his chickens. The neighbor took his shotgun and loaded it with bird shot. (He would later state he did not mean to injure Dixie. He thought the bird shot would just sting. That IS a terrible, but common misconception in the area.) He shot Dixie in the back, gun angled downward, from what the vet estimates was less than a yard. Please note: a vet CAN tell the distance and angle based on the “spray pattern” and the actual injury. Dixie’s spine was severely damaged. Dixie’s moms were looking for her and a county AC officer was helping. Dixie was found in her own backyard, blood streaking her back and side, dragging her rear legs behind her. The AC officer picked her up and carried her immediately to Dr. Gensel at Elizabethtown Veterinary Hospital. Dixie had the surgery that would save her life, but was left paralyzed and incontinent. A few months later, her family split up and Dixie ended up without a home and in rescue. She lived with an amazing foster family for a time, but circumstances beyond anyone’s control lead to a very hard decision for her foster mom. She had to let Dixie go when circumstances made it impossible for her to give Dixie the time she needed. She loved Dixie enough to let her go, even though it hurt. It was the right decision, but Dixie, of course, did not understand that. All Dixie knew is she was not with a family any longer. Because of Dixie’s needs, it would take a very special foster home, and no one was available to care for her. The only choice was to take her to the vet for care and boarding until arrangements could be made. It was not ideal, but she was receiving what she needed. That takes us up to last week when Dixie was settling into a state of depression. Even though she was surrounded by an amazing Vet’s staff who loves her, it was still not home and family. We watched her spirit fade and the hurt settle into her beautiful eyes. THEN THE MIRACLE WE WERE ALL PRAYING FOR: A WOMAN ON A MISSION OF LOVE, DRIVING FROM STAFFORD, VIRGINIA TO ELIZABETHTOWN, N.C. Katie arrived and put the life and love back in Dixie’s eyes. Taking on a handicapped pet is not an easy task, and not a choice a lot of people would make. Their hearts may be in it, but time constraints and the challenge added to already busy lives stops loving hearts from making the commitment. When Katie heard Dixie’s story and made that commitment, we were beyond thrilled. Katie is very experienced with handicapped dogs and we knew Dixie would have the absolute best care, as well as a wonderful brother to share adventures with. Dixie-Belle and Indy’s mom has helped them set up their own Face Book Page so everyone can follow their antics and adventures. Please click your way over and LIKE their page. Let them know they are very loved by MANY friends. https://facebook/pages/The-Adventures-of-Indy-and-Dixie-Belle/367256746769913 Now, with her life FINALLY beginning, we want to follow her progress and watch her blossom, as I know all of you do. The new FB page will help us do that. But there is one thing more we can do for this wonderful dog with the amazing spirit. We can help to make sure she is able to get all of the care she needs. Remember, there are two special needs dogs in her family and while that is double the love, it is also double the expense. Many of you have asked what you can do to help. And we promised a fundraiser or two that would allow everyone to help Dixie-Belle’s life become just as grand as it should be. If you can and want to donate, this is her special fundraising link. She will be getting a better set of wheels; wheels just like Brother Indy’s that are made especially for her. Dixie is high-spirited and now has the room to play off a lot of energy with her brother. Her new wheels will allow her to have all the fun she yearns for; and then some. She also needs to be evaluated by her medical team. Her mom plans to get Dixie-Belle all the help she needs to live her life to the fullest. She has a home and family filled with love. She has the love of many around the world. Her heart is filled. Dixie is worth it and deserves it. There is no question about that. But there is a question on how to raise the money to pay for the medical needs. We hope this You Caring Fund Raiser will help with that part. We have set this up so the donations will go directly to Dixie-Belle. youcaring/medical-fundraiser/for-love-of-dixie/253680 If you would like to snail mail a donation or a gift to Dixie, she needs drag bags, booties, 4T diapers, and she loves squeaky toys. Make donation checks payable to Katie Adams (for Dixie-Belle) and mail to: Dixie-Belle Adams 36 Mack Lane Stafford VA 22556 Thank You for your love and prayers. Thank you for ALWAYS caring. ~EDR~
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 08:30:55 +0000
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