A group of students in Antigonish that has fostered dogs throughout their university experience is raising money for one of their four-legged friends in need.
The seven men have looked after 23 foster dogs over their two years at St. Francis Xavier University.
“It's pretty awesome to come back to school, and when you're missing your dog at home, to always have someone around the house to sort of lift your spirits up,” says student Will Grant.
The group was united with a five-year-old Great Pyrenees named Marley two weeks ago. But there was something different this time.
“Found out she needs emergency double knee surgery. She's in a lot of pain, having a lot of trouble walking,” says Grant.
The surgery will cost $5,000, with another $3,500 for rehabilitation. A GoFundMe page set up by the guys has already topped $6,000 in less than a week.
The students have even sold some of their sports jerseys to raise money.
“I think people just kind of connect to the dog,” says student Sean Muir. “Everybody just kind hopped on the wagon and decided to help her out.”
Marley already has a family with a large farm waiting to adopt her. She'll have surgery first on her left knee, the more damaged of the two, on April 19.
“They say that the prognosis is very good,” says Raylene Dewan of the Coastal K9 Society. “They'll repair her both knees and she'll be pain-free and be able to run and play and enjoy life like she should be able to.”
The students say helping dogs has so many rewards.
“There's someone always home, and when the dog comes up to you and just gives you a smile and just asks for a scratch, it's not a lot of work to be put in on your part,” says Grant.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Dan MacIntosh.
Congratulations to our Maritimers of the Month!
If you know someone deserving of our Maritimer of the Month award, we want to hear about it.
It doesn’t matter how old they are, the nature of the good deed they’ve done, or what part of the region they live in — we want your ideas!
Please send your nomination to:
or
Maritimer of the Month
P.O. Box 1653
Halifax, N.S.
B3J 2Z4
