Florence Survivors: Blue & Belle

As many of you know my love for animals prompted me to head down into the ravaged state of North Carolina after hurricane Florence to bring much needed supplies and volunteer with local pet shelters.  My hopes were to also transport any animal that may have been pulled for a Rescue and needed a ride back up north.  Having done a similar trip to Houston after  Harvey, I knew how desperate the situation would be.  My son and I drove from Chicago to NC and witnessed many horrific conditions however, we also met some amazing, selfless and heroic people.  We were able to deliver an entire SUV of supplies which were generously donated by our community.

We made several stops at various shelters and our last stop was at a county shelter in south eastern NC.  We went there to pick up a dog that was being transported up to a Rescue in Michigan.  While we were there I was drawn to a blue and white male pocket pitbull whom we are now calling Blue.  Blue was super sweet but terrified; so scared that he barely walked and wouldn't even stand to pee.  I had to carry him both in and out of the shelter.  When I put him back into his kennel I could not shake the look on his face; it was if he had been abandon yet again.

I walked a few other dogs past Blue's run and he had no reaction until I walked a female blue and white pit by; he jumped up and was alive again.  It was if the life which had been drained out of him was suddenly back.  When I saw that the female pit, whom we are now calling Belle, was having the same response at the sight of Blue, I knew it was not a coincidence; they knew each other for sure....   

I spoke with the shelter manager and learned that Blue and Belle were brought in together and had been rescued by firefighters as they were swimming for their life in raging flood waters.  I further learned that after being rescued they were surrender by their owner.  After everything they had been through and survived only to be thrown away by someone who was suppose to care and love them.  I was furious and after learning their fate, this is a kill shelter and these two were not in good shape, I was determined to show these two dogs the love they deserved.  I asked the manager if I could transport them out.  The Michigan Rescue was willing to sponsor them, however, since they were not expecting them, they do not have the funds or the room for them, so I offered to foster both of them until they are healthy or the Rescue has room for them.  

I have taken them to the Vet and learned that both Blue and Belle have skin and ear infections & both are unaltered so they need to be spayed and neutered.  Blue also has an eye ulcer and Belle has kennel cough.  However, the most devastating news is that they are BOTH HEARTWORM  POSITIVE.  

Since the Rescue was not expecting these two, I paid the initial vet bill which was $750 (originally $1,000 but the Vet was kind enough to discount it).  I have looked into HW treatment & found that it can run $1,300-$1,500 EACH.  That is another $3,000 just for the heartworm treatment alone.  Spaying and neutering will not be cheap either. 

I am hoping to be able to raise enough money to get Blue & Belle healthy and then the two can finally be on their way to their forever home: together....  

I have been overwhelmed with the generosity of our community in the past, and I am hoping that you can find it in your heart to support this wonderful cause.  Blue and Belle have fought so hard to stay alive and remain together, please help these two sweet and loving hurricane Florence Survivors do just that.

We set out on this journey not knowing what to expect and took a leap of faith to save these two amazing beautiful creatures, please help in getting them to a home they deserve.  

Any funds in excess of medical & care bills will be donated to a Dog Rescue.  Thank you for your help, Mary Keller.