Medical Emergency - Animal Attack

My niece, Madeline Martin, and her dog, Luna, were taking a walk around 6 p.m. on July 4 when the unimaginable happened. A quick potty break turned into a life-threatening moment that put Maddie's life on a painful hold - a few weeks after moving into her new apartment. Maddie is a single mom to a sweet and precocious young child who was not on the walk. She has incredible medical bills and is on leave from her job as a dog groomer - pending the healing of her thumb, God-willing!

Maddie and Luna were viciously attacked by a stray dog. Ironically, Maddie is a dog lover, groomer, and advocate for the unwanted animals. She had met this dog where it was tied up weeks before, talking to its handler about the unwarranted poor reputation of pit bulls.

The stray dog had broken loose from its tie and pounced out of the woods, ravaging Luna with puncture wounds. As Maddie screamed for help and tried to pull Luna away, she was bit as well - leaving a gruesome injury - her thumb broken at the joint and hinged, barely attached.

A neighbor came to the rescue and wrestled the dog to the ground, subduing it until Animal Control arrived. That neighbor saved their lives! We have no record of the dog's owner.

Luna's emergency care was pricey - and Maddie's is going through the process. It won't be cheap. She has no income but has rent, utilities, food, a broken air conditioner in her car, and high medical bills - along with the bills from her fresh move. And, she has a young daughter and a wounded furry family member counting on her.

Maddie waited a very long time for a skilled surgeon since July 4 is fraught with accidental finger and hand explosions. Hers was lower on the list - despite it being career threatening for a dog groomer. We do not know if she will regain movement of that thumb. For now, she is out of work indefinitely.

We have been blessed with the ability to help Maddie and her daughter a bit - but the need is overwhelming in this moment.

For those who love a dog, love a young kid, want to acknowledge that we all should be safe walking near our homes, or just want to send some support to Maddie, please consider a small donation.