Petside Items: Pacemakers and Labradors from Guest Blogger Jo Singer

From time to time, I run across a news item on the Internet, which reassures me, how deeply we humans can be touched. It makes me feel good that we maintain the capacity to open our hearts and pocketbooks to help animals unknown to us personally, but who are in need.

My heart was touched when I learned about a 5-year-old search and rescue dog named Molly. This chocolate Labrador retriever found herself in need of her own rescue.

Diagnosed with total electrical heart block, by a veterinarian in Springfield, Missouri, Molly needed surgery and a pacemaker to save her life. The hefty cost of the procedure, veterinary care and travel exceeded $2,500.00. When the Joplin newspaper, "The Joplin Globe" publicized the story, they received overwhelming offers of help.

Medtronic, a medical technology company donated the pacemaker. A southeast Kansas businessperson offered up to $2,000.00 of the costs anonymously. A fund raising account has been opened in order to continue defraying any additional costs.

Molly is now home recovering.

Her owners, Allen and Alicia Brown who both volunteer for the K-9 rescue unit reported that while Molly will need confinement in her crate for two weeks, it is an important part of her recovery. Of course she will then have limited activity for a couple of months, but as soon as she is once again fit for duty she will return to the position that she loves, as the key member of the Newton County K-9 search and rescue unit.

The Browns shared that Molly's full name is "The Unsinkable Molly Brown". She loves to play fetch and gets ready to go to work whenever they don their rescue gear. The Browns deeply appreciate the many generous offers of assistance, which they have received. They are also thrilled about Molly’s excellent prognosis.