In The News: Raising Money for Mimi
“Animal Rescue Group Collecting Money for Lifesaving Surgery”
Asheville Citizen Times
January 14, 2011
Author: Sandra V Rodriguez
Mimi the Boxer has her bark back after an animal rescue group helped arrange for lifesaving surgery.
Now the nonprofit, WNC Boxer Rescue, has taken up a collection to help raise money to pay the veterinary bills the dog’s family, the Hancocks, estimate at nearly $2,000.
The 4-year-old Mimi hadn’t eaten for at least four days before the Hancock’s took her to the family veterinarian on Jan. 15. Doctors said Mimi had swallowed a rope toy that became lodged in her abdomen. The only way to remove it was with a surgery.
The Fletcher family had two options: Put Mimi to sleep or do the surgery, which would cost the family more than $1,000, based on the estimated cost.
“How do you make that decision when she’s only four years old?” Hancock said. “She’s young. And she’s an amazing dog in every other aspect and healthy in every other way. You don’t put a dog down just because something is stuck in their stomach.”
Although the family could make monthly payments, they could not afford to pay for the services upfront like the clinic required. Out of ideas, Hancock turned to the nonprofit, WNC Boxer Rescue, which referred her to WNC Veterinary Hospital in Arden.
“She called me and asked me if I could help,” Ivey said. “That’s what we do: We help.”
When it’s life or death, the family instead chose to ask for help, something that “took a lot of bravery,” according to Ivey.
WNC Veterinary’s Dr. Brett Young and at least one staff member at the clinic donated nearly five hours of their time Jan. 15 to perform Mimi’s surgery, reducing the total cost of health care costs for Mimi and the Hancocks. The clinic also worked out a payment plan with the family.
Young’s first impression of Mimi, upon meeting her Jan. 15, was that the pup was subdued when she came in to the clinic.
“It looked like she was uncomfortable, in pain,” he said. “She had not been eating for several days. … She was breathing more rapidly than normal and she was very reactive to touching in the abdomen.”
Although Mimi had to have a second surgery Monday, when the dog showed signs of infection, Young said the 4-year-old Boxer is now in “good spirits” and has a “spring to her step.” The pup has been on a diet of fluids since Saturday, when the Hancocks brought her to WNC Veterinary Hospital in Arden.
“She hasn’t had anything to eat now in about a week and I’m going to wait a little bit longer before I start feeding her,” said Dr. Brett Young. “I’d want to have her eating before she goes home.”
The family knew something was wrong Jan. 10 when the family noticed Mimi couldn’t keep food down. The family hadn’t noticed any improvement by Jan. 15, when they took the 4-year-old Boxer to the family veterinarian. Mimi needed surgery — it was a matter of life or death.
To help
The nonprofit, WNC Boxer Rescue, has taken up a collection to help pay the veterinary bills associated with the surgery of 4-year-old Boxer, Mimi. To donate, call Robbie Ivey at 702-4192 or visit http://wncboxerrescue.chipin.com/mimis-emergency-surgery.
