Local family grateful for the kindness of strangers when family dog was injured

A Bruderheim family is very thankful to several people who came to the rescue of their family dog, Buddy, after he was struck by a car near Bruderheim School last week.

Mike and Cindy O’Brien, who own two black shitzus, Buddy and Maggie, had no idea one of them escaped their yard until they saw a stranger’s post on social media Apr. 18.

Lindsey Billings, who lives in Fort Saskatchewan, was driving to work near Bruderheim when she drove past a small black dog lying on the road near Bruderheim School.

“I was heading to work and (saw him) lying on the road, so I turned around and went back. I thought he (might be) dead, but noticed he was alive so I called the vet (in Fort Saskatchewan) to see what I should do,” said Billings, who said the vet told her to bring him in and to be careful not to get bit.

At that moment, Bruderheim resident Allan Murphy was driving by and stopped to help Billings get Buddy into her vehicle.

“He pulled up and helped me roll (Buddy) onto a towel. He said he would put up a post on social media to try to find the owner. I called my husband (Logan) who is also a member of that (social media) group and he also put up the picture,” said Billings.

Once at the vet’s office, Billings got Buddy safely into the examination room then went back to her car.

“I sat in my car and cried for a while. I can’t imagine if it was my dog. Then the owner called,” she said.

The O’Briens, along with their daughter Amber, rushed to the vet’s office once they confirmed with Billings and the vet staff that it was Buddy. Cindy said she feared the worst.

“(I thought we were going to have to put him down.) He was laying under a heated blanket because he was in shock. He had three seizures before we got there. The Dr. was working on him and the girls (there) were amazing,” Cindy said, noting that Buddy began to stabilize an hour later and came through with three broken ribs, a cut tongue, and a bloodshot eye. Then there was the $600 vet bill to contend with.

“(I told the vet) I only have $300 but I’ll make payments every two weeks to give you what you need,” she said, adding the vet had another surprise in store when he told her someone donated $100 to Buddy’s vet bill.

“(They) asked to remain anonymous and I (was crying). For all of it to pull together (for Buddy) was unbelievable,” said Cindy, adding that Buddy is more than just a family pet. “He is Mike’s second hand. He helps Mike to be anchored with his dementia.”

Cindy explained that Buddy has been in their family for three years and has been a big support for Mike as he struggles with dementia.

“He gives Mike a sense of purpose. If he is having a real bad day and doesn’t know where to make his coffee, Buddy is there and Mike knows him,” she said. Cindy said she is incredibly thankful for everyone who came together the day Buddy got hurt.

“Seriously, this woman lives in the Fort. She was headed to work, picked him up, took him to her vet, was late to get to work and then someone donated money to help us. That’s mind blowing,” she said. “I can never be more grateful.”

READ THE REST OF THIS STORY IN THE APRIL 26 EDITION OF THE LAMONT LEADER

Jana Semeniuk, Staff Reporter