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In March, Judy received a phone call from Mary Beth, the wonderful director of Seminole County Animal Shelter. She had a seven-month-old puppy in bad shape due to abuse. "Can you help?" Well, gee, what do you think Judy said? When she met little Bridget, she was horrified. At 17 pounds, this baby was emaciated, with every rib showing and barely able to lift her head. But that was only the beginning. Further examination showed a cracked skull, broken ribs, a fractured leg, a dislocated hip, a partially collapsed lung, and pneumonia.  Pause for a moment; don't just brush by those words. Picture how these things occurred. Someone, some horrible person, had to have cornered this little girl, kicking and beating her repeatedly to inflict such damage. Picture her cowering, crying, trying to get away, while the beatings continued. I don't understand this. How does someone lose touch with basic humanity and justify such action? It leaves me breathless....

We count ourselves blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people, people like Tricia and her family, who scooped this tender creature into their arms and into their hom to shower her with love and care. Without such fosters, we could do so little. In their home Bridget has already gained 12 pounds, is almost recovered from her pneumonia, and rediscovered her puppy joy!  We are also blessed with wonderful veterinarians who work with us to provide affordable care.  Animal Hospital at Vista Lakes used her surgery as a teaching opportunity and has given us an amazing discount. Judy has worked with them for years and they are simply WONDERFUL! Her surgery (Femoral Head Ostectomy) will cost approximately $2500, which is considerably less than the total hip replacement we originally were told she would likely need. Afterward she will need a lot of physical therapy that will up her treatment costs by about another $1000, but after therapy she should be pretty close to 100% better. She will have a scar and a limp, but will be totally free of pain and pain meds!

Bridget still has a long road ahead of her but she also can look forward to a long, happy, healthy life. Her bad days are behind her. Blue skies ahead. If you would like to help defray Bridget's medical bills, we would be most appreciative. You can complete a Sponsor form and/or use the Paypal button on our website.  As always, we thank you for all that you do to help us help the abandoned pets of Central Florida.

Foster Update:  I have been posting photos and updates on Bridget in her personal photo album on our facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PetRescuebyJudy.  Since her surgery, Bridget has been doing really well - taking her meds and basically taking it easy, but we had a pretty bad night last night. She was whining in her crate, which she NEVER does and was just inconsolable. At 2am I finally took her out and laid with her on the couch to try and comfort her & coax her to sleep. She looked at me in such a way that I just knew she was hurting :-( At that moment the true implication hit me that if not for the callousness of one person this baby wouldn't be suffering like this, still to this day! Made me just want to cradle this little creature in my arms and protect her forever!"  We want people to share Bridget's journey and to have a peek into what rescue really is like. Everyone thinks it is playing with puppies and kittens, being the hero. It is also hurting with them as they heal and learn what it is truly like to be loved in this world.  Bridget represents so much to those of us who have been in rescue for years. She's going to make it. And she's going to have a great life. And we will all smile.

Please consider helping us with Bridget's substantial vet bills. They are in excess of $3,000. You can donate by completing a Sponsorship form on our website at www.PetRescueByJudy.com.