“Always Look for the Helpers”

​Happy New Year! 
 
You may have seen our Facebook posts about Baylon, the emaciated pup with the gun-shot wounds and injuries which necessitated amputating her leg. But this post isn’t really about Baylon; it is about our community.

Are we angry?  Of course – but we are far more proud and thankful.  This young dog was shot by only one person.  And our entire community is standing up for that dog. 
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Here’s the story.  Dave was on a mail-route when the dog approached him.  Horrified, he called his wife, Shelley, with the details.  She was on the road with their beautiful daughter, Baylon, but pulled over long enough to call Dana, who grabbed Kelly from P3 Consignments and went searching for the dog.

Unable to spot her from the road, Dana and Kelly got out to search the woods, and spotted her body lying in the leaves down a hill, so still they thought she was dead.  As  they approached, she lifted her head and wagged her tail.
 
Kelly carried her as Dana went to get the car.  They raced her to Landrum Veterinary Hospital, where Dr. Boone saw her immediately,  and determined that while her leg could not be saved, they could try to save her life. Dr. Boone started antibiotics, fluids, and pain meds immediately, and performed the surgery the next day. 
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We posted her story on FaceBook, and got many comments, phone calls, and messages.  Our community really stood up for this beautiful dog, and she got prayers, shares, and donations for her vet bill.  This wonderful, caring community rallied for that dog, and we know they will rally again when it comes time for her to find just the right home.

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​So instead of the negative, we want to focus on the positive and on the kind, caring community in which we live.  This one gun-shot three-legged dog has many friends and supporters, and will go on to live a joyous life in a home and in a community where she is truly loved. 

In “The World According to Mr. Rogers”, Fred Rogers said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers.  You will always find people who are helping.”

We have a lot of helpers to thank.
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Dave, thank you, for stopping and for caring enough to do something!   Thank you, Shelley and daughter Baylon, for finding Dana and asking her to please help Baylon the dog.
 
Thank you Dana and Kelly for searching the woods and for getting Baylon to Landrum Vet.
 
Thank you Dr. Boone for your excellent surgical skills and big heart, and Andi and all the staff at Landrum Vet who have doted on Baylon and helped make her rough days easier.
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​Thank you, Lennie Rizzo, for offering to help us with funds if our community donations fall short.  We don’t think that will happen but Lennie, we love you and are so grateful for your generous offer, and for the animals you help in our community.
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And the biggest thank you is to you, the people in our community.  You are the helpers.  You are amazing and your support means everything to us and to the animals.
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This is a perfect example of why we do what we do.  We wanted to help the animals and their people in our community, and what a great community it is. 

Thank you.
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We look forward to working with you, laughing with you, and living together with you in this wonderful community, in 2016 and beyond.
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www.PawsPrayersandPromises.org
828-243-1852 
[email protected]

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Here are just a few of the comments from our wonderful Facebook community offering their support for Baylon. Please LIKE Us and join the conversation...

 "I'm so happy to see she's on the mend. I sent her a belated Christmas donation. Thanks for taking such good care of her."

"Bless her heart! She looks wonderful!!!"

"Yeah!!! So happy she is safe and going in the right direction
​with people who care"

"Prayers answered. From now on, nothing but love for you Baylon."

"...much continued healing for this sweet baby dog"

"God bless that sweet baby dog... I encourage anyone that can to donate to the continuing vet care for this precious girl !!"

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