Lucy is our 4-year-old Shepinois (Malinois/German Shepherd) and a diabetic alert dog for our daughter with type 1 diabetes. On Saturday afternoon, our world was turned upside down when Lucy was shot in the face by a neighbor just two doors down, right in our neighborhood in city limits. She did nothing wrong—she was simply being her gentle, loving self. Lucy is not just a pet; she is a vital part of our family and a constant companion to our children, especially our daughter who relies on her every day.

We were all out in the back yard watching the Bama game with the dogs it was 3:30 in the afternoon on a Saturday and the weather was nice. We heard the boom of the gunshot so close it was right on top of us. I turned my head immediately calling Lucy's name she was just right beside me she never leaves our side. Instant panic when I didn't see her or our other 2 dogs. I took off running calling Lucy's name rounded the corner of the house and the large, wooden, tall, fence sized gate to the privacy fence was open! Nobody uses that gate it's hard to open over the grass and it's what we call poop land so we don't walk over there. I ran through the gate still crying Lucy's name. The two other dogs were already entering the gate before I did. Running scared I hit the street in front of my house and the lady across the street 2 doors down yells "Put that gun down" She sees me still running and says "He shot your baby!" just I see the neighbors car with the two men parked on the street starting to leave. I'm looking everywhere can't find my baby calling her and trying to understand why anyone would hurt the dog they see daily with two little girls and who never ever leaves the property! Both my girls are running down the street I scream for them to go back home and get daddy. They still saw the horror when I did. The lady yells there she is and I see her running to me and first I see blood all over her chest and face and legs ands paws then she turns and the whole side of her face is gone. It's hanging off past her chin, teeth gone, and she's not going to stop running till she gets in the house. All this happened in seconds faster than Brandon could tie his shoes because I bolted instantly in time to hear the neighbor tell the two men on my side of the street to put it away. He shot her seconds after she left my sight. He knows she goes everywhere with us because the two men are always in the front yard or front porch. They know she's trained and obedient and has never given them a second glance, left our property, and is an indoor dog. Plus that means the gun was shot in the direction of my house and could have hit my little girls. He knows they play outside with her and walk her. All the neighbors on the street are outside now but I'm following my dog and trying to calm her and Brandon already got the car out of the driveway and pulled it up to the mailbox to load her in. I'm trying my best to spare you the real horror and visuals and blood soaking all over my body front and back. The panic and the bloody shaking hands trying to use my phone to find the nearest Emergency Vet. Piper at the vet getting soap and wet paper towels to bathe her little sister because she was covered in blood and knew she needed help and their parents are talking to the vet and staff. They wanted payment upfront and I didn't have my purse or wallet.

The impact of this senseless act has been devastating. Our little girls witnessed Lucy’s injuries firsthand, seeing her face after it was blown off. They were there for the blood-soaked, 30-minute car ride as we rushed to save her life. The trauma of that day has left us all worried and scarred, and we are praying for her recovery every moment. Lucy's now had an emergency stay at the vet, surgery to put her face back on, remove bone, tooth, and bullet fragments from her mouth, tongue, and sinus cavity and lots of medicine. She will also need dental surgery to remove shattered teeth and will likely have future problems with her face, teeth, and sinuses. The costs are overwhelming, and we want to do everything we can to give Lucy the best chance at recovery. Our little girls have even offered all their birthday and tooth fairy money, and said they would give up their Christmas presents if it meant saving Lucy. Their love for her is endless, and our hearts are broken seeing her in pain.

Lucy came to us because we needed her. We sought her out because our little Piper is Type 1 Diabetic and suffers from extreme low blood sugars. And Piper loves Lucy. We trained this pup to alert when blood sugars dropped-but Lucy is so much more. My heart is unreliable and I have spells of weakness and fainting. Lucy, on her own, learned to predict and alert me to sit down and she kisses me or makes me laugh. When I'm so sick I can't even sit up, she comforts me. I love Lucy. And Penny, our youngest daughter, is suffering from a miserable, undiagnosed digestive disease which causes her so much pain, nausea and vomiting. Lucy goes to Penny's room and just visits, comforts her. Penny loves Lucy. Brandon works double shifts all the time, it's his entire life, and consequently suffers exhaustion and pain. Lucy sits with him nightly and keeps him company. And Brandon loves Lucy. She can be with the one who needs her most and is tireless. Our sweet Lucy has never been scolded, punished, or seen anger directed toward her. She lives to please and be loved. Lucy goes everywhere we go, behaving perfectly all the time. She's never moved from the vehicle when all the doors open until she is told to exit. She never jumps up on people. She loves her family, her pack, her toys and children. She's been in the girls' school, park and play grounds, always being friendly and well behaved. We couldn't imagine our lives without her. Lucy makes our hard lives bearable, even good.

We are reaching out to our community and beyond for help. Lucy means the world to us, and we can't imagine our family without her. Any support you can give will go directly to her care and recovery. Please help us on Lucy's long road to recovery and give her the chance to keep being the hero and friend our family needs.

God lead us to the right surgeon to do the jigsaw puzzle of putting the whole side of her face back on. God gave us a good vet who gave me his cell phone number to text him at home. God kept her mind and body whole. Pray for her pain and her skin to stay alive and regrow.

Thanks for your help.