Maisie's Fund

Yes! We've hit $500.00 for Maisie's surgery and recuperation. Unfortunately, Maisie will be staying with Dr. Cobb for about five more weeks, so we don't know what the final bill will be. Dr. Cobb is offering many of his services free, and we owe him a tremendous thanks.

Last week we were also asked to help Zeus, a cat that was believed to have been seriously injured in a Florence house fire. Thankfully, Zeus was only singed, sooty, and scared--not a great combination, but not life threatening either.

However, Dr. Cobb was on standby for the cat should he have needed actual medical attention. It's not a rare thing for the small animals who make up part of our families to need emergency attention. We firmly believe that families who adopt animals should be responsible for their basic medical needs, but none of us can predict an emergency brought about by freak accident--or finding a homeless animal like Maisie who would die by the side of the road without help from her human friends.

Therefore, we are establishing Maisie's Fund, a permanent fund that will reside in an open account at Dr. Cobb's Colbert Animal Clinic. We'll be providing more details on how to give as we provide the final update on Maisie's health and her placement in a forever, indoor home.

Trader will also be contacting each of you who've given so generously with more details on the end of Maisie's wonderful story of recovery. Did I say end? I meant beginning...

Maisie Keeps Improving

Injured Beagle Maisie remains at the Colbert Animal Clinic. Dr. Cobb wants to keep her with him for two more weeks until her hips have healed. At that time, we will be looking for a permanent home for this beautiful little girl.

Trader tells me that $394.00 has been collected, with more promised to arrive within the next few days. Due to her extended stay, the bill for Maisie may exceed the original estimate of $500.00. We will keep you posted on both her health and the public's donations.

Thanks to everyone who has been rooting for Maisie!

"John" Is Now "Maisie"

Taking into consideration John's gender, the injured Beagle has been redubbed "Maisie." I had the pleasure of visiting with Maisie this afternoon, just a few hours after her surgery.

Maisie is a real trooper. She was already awake, and now her tail is capable of doing some first class wagging. Despite just coming out of the anesthetic, Maisie was up for socializing and let me pet her.

The staff at the Colbert Animal Clinic has obviously been taking excellent care of this little girl, and props to Dr. Cobb for doing the surgery on what could be termed an installment plan.

As of this afternoon, Trader has collected $288.00. This amount did not include today's unopened mail, so we're hopeful that we'll reach our goal by the end of next week when Maisie is ready to be placed in her forever home. If you know someone who has room for Maisie in their life, please forward these blogs to them. She has a lot of love to give, and thanks to several readers out there, she will now have a chance to give it.

Donation address: Link

Injured Beagle Update/End of an Era

So far, at least $65.00 has been collected for the injured female beagle being treated at the Colbert Animal Clinic. If you haven't read about this courageous young pup, you can find her story at:

Link

"John" obviously needs a permanent home--and a new name wouldn't be bad either.

-()-

Dr. William D. Lazenby Jr. is officially retiring from his veterinary practice in Florence. Most of us who have been fortunate to know Dr. Lazenby over the years call him "Chip."

I knew that Chip had limited his practice in the past few years, but am saddened that he will no longer be there to treat our animals. Chip studied under Dr. David Mussleman, who also retired this year. Life being what it is, veterinary care will go on in the Shoals, but it will never reach the learned and caring heights to which Chip brought it.

Chip has turned over his client/patient records to the Connolly Animal Clinic. I'm sure these two fine veterinarians will provide excellent care; however, if any feel that this practice is not for them for any reason, I highly recommend Dr. Sheila Gilbert on East Tennessee Street in Florence. She is knowledgeable, caring, and a great addition to the Shoals world of animal care.


Disclaimer: The above opinions on local veterinary care are personal in scope and do not reflect professional opinion or endorsement in any manner or form.