Help Miracle Walk Again: A Family's Faith

[cover photo is before the injury and after]

Thanks for pausing for a moment to read Miracle's story. My name is Brian Jones, and I am organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Miracle's family. The hope of this fundraiser is to help raise the funds to cover the expenses of Miracle's medical care and surgery to help her walk again. Her story is an amazing one, and I hope you will continue reading to learn more about the sweet dog Miracle and how she came into my life and ultimately came to be part of her forever family.

In June 2018 I was called early one Sunday morning by one of the pastors at my church. There was a little dog tied outside the front door with a dish and food. Clearly the dog had been abandoned. The hope was that I, the "resident dog rescuer", would do something with the dog. I quickly headed to the church and swept the dog up into my car. She was the sweetest girl, with a rough looking coat, who was tired and worn out. I went through the steps to locate the owner, but it was clear the dog had been abandoned and would need a new home.

Little did I know that the same weekend a young girl at that very church had written a request and shared it with a pastor. Her prayer was....FOR A DOG! It looked like her prayer had been answered! There were other issues to overcome, but everything fell in place and the dog, aptly named Miracle, now had a forever home.

Miracle has lived the best life! A human mom, dad, brother and sister keep her company and love her unconditionally. Their love was greatly tested when a few weeks ago Miracle started shaking and suddenly had trouble walking. They took her to their veterinarian who ran blood work and x-rays. The doctors could not find anything wrong with her. They suggested some medicine and to keep an eye on her. Unfortunately Miracle's condition deteriorated to the point she could no longer stand with her back legs. It was then that it became clear more drastic measures would need to be taken.

In the midst of this happening with Miracle, the family has also been working with a family member in need of costly medical attention. Miracle's family knew they could not afford to pay for Miracle's needs as well as the other cost, but at the same time, they knew they could not let Miracle suffer. Thankfully, through all of this Miracle showed no signs of any pain. They stepped out in faith and made the decision to take Miracle for further evaluation.

St Francis Animal Hospital in Decatur evaluated Miracle and recommended an immediate MRI with the high likelihood of surgery to help her walk again. St Francis placed a referral to the University of Georgia's Veterinarian Hospital and the family drove Miracle to Athens that day. She stayed overnight and was evaluated by the neurological department who confirmed the need for an MRI. The family agreed to the MRI and received a call later that day while Miracle was still under anesthesia stating that she had a herniated disc and would need a Hemilaminectomy. The surgeon said they could go immediately into surgery to repair the damage. The family once again boldly stepped out in faith, knowing they did not have the funds to cover this additional expense, but also knowing they could not say no to their sweet Miracle and her chance to walk again.

The surgery went very well. The doctor felt confident they removed a large amount of the damaged area. The next morning she was able to put some wait on her back legs and was trying to walk. They kept a towel around her to support her, but it was clear she had not lost the function of her legs.

She came home from the hospital two days later and has been recovering quite well. She is under strict regulation with no jumping or running for 6-8 weeks. She spends her time in a crate when the family is gone, and beside them with a hand on her when they are home. Her shaved back and the incision site are signs of her surgery, but hopefully soon that will be a distant memory as they move on to happier tomorrows.

I told the family from day 1 that I am committed to Miracle. I have had the joy of placing a number of dogs with families, and I would step in at any moment and do all I could to help any one of them. This is why I am reaching out today asking for your help. I want the family to be able to move on and not be straddled by the debt of this entire ordeal. Their faith led them to step out and say do whatever it takes. I believe the money will return to them for their faithfulness.

Please consider donating whatever amount you can. Big or small, it all adds up. If you cannot give at this time, please share Miracle's story. Do not hesitate to reach out to me, Brian, with any questions.

ALL the money raised will be going directly to the family. I will include some photos of the invoice from UGA, but I have set the goal of this fundraiser higher than that amount as they also had a large bill from St. Francis as well as their own home veterinarian.

For a video of Miracle's first day in our lives, check this out!