In The News: Mimi
“WNC Boxer Rescue Saves Life of Pet”
Asheville Citizen Times
January 19, 2011
Author: Sandra V Rodriguez
Mimi the boxer has her bark back after an animal rescue group helped arrange 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 nonprofit offers shelter and placement for abandoned, abused or neglected boxers in the area.
The 4-year-old dog hadn’t eaten for at least four days before the Hancocks 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 the vet estimated would cost more than $1,000.
“How do you make that decision when she’s only 4 years old?” Colleen 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 offered to make monthly payments, they could not afford to pay for the services up front, as the clinic required. Hancock turned to WNC Boxer Rescue, which referred her to WNC Veterinary Hospital in Arden.
“She called me and asked me if I could help,” Robbie Ivey said. “That’s what we do: We help.”
WNC Veterinary’s Dr. Brett Young and registered veterinary assistant Ruth Young 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.
Young said Mimi was subdued when she first came in to the clinic.
“It looked like she was uncomfortable, in pain,” he said. “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 after showing signs of infection, Young said the 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 the clinic.
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 (solid food),” Young said. “I’d want to have her eating before she goes home.”
To help, WNC Boxer Rescue has taken up a collection to help pay the veterinary bills associated with Mimi’s surgery. To donate, volunteer or foster, call Robbie Ivey at 702-4192 or visit www.wncboxerrescue.org.
