When it hits close to home..

This blog post is written today with a heavy heart.  I have had a lot of craziness the past few days but I felt it was important to get this message in particular to my Facebook and blog followers.

You often hear about pet shops, of dog brokers who sell animals who are ill, sometimes they recover other times they don't.  A while back I remember a former boss of mine getting a dog for their family.  After a bit of time I asked how the dog was and they told me it had passed away.  That story has been on mind as of recent especially now.

A long time friend of mine (Girl Scout sister to be precise) received a Mini English Bull Dog who she named Bruno.  The following is paraphrased from her Facebook Wall.

Bruno was born November 9, 2014 in Missouri, my friend became his human mommy on January 11, 2015.  He had a respiratory emergency on January 17th, just shy of being 10 weeks old.  On January 24th he was admitted to the hospital.  On January 28th he was transported to an Animal Emergency center as he was in respiratory crisis.  He was required to stay in an oxygen tank 24/7.

Bruno passed away yesterday February 18th, 2015.  My friend knows for a fact that this didn't have to happen.  During his stay at the emergency center there were many tests done on him.  The one infection that ultimately led to his passing was Comamonas Testosteroni, which is not common in the  United States!!!!

So either of the following scenarios caused this-

1)  Bruno was either transported from Missouri to New York with cargo that included exotic animals from overseas that were not quarantined for the required amount of time.

2)  The broken in Westchester (where he was purchased) houses/sells exotic animals and did not quarantine them for the required amount of time.

Either way someone is at fault and it is not fair that my friend has to suffer the loss of her fur baby!

But she is a woman of action, which is what I love most about her.  She is raising money in memory of Bruno three ways.  This I am copying and pasting from her page, because it is just easier for me.  Please keep my friend and her family in your thoughts and prayers as I am sure this is not an easy time for them at all.  Bruno had many people praying for him.  I only wish the outcome was better.

The following is from my friend's Facebook page and is how she is going to make some good out of this tragedy---

1.) The 1st Fundraiser is via One Hope and will not only benefit our Charity of Choice ( Take Me Home Pet Rescue ), but with every purchase you are able to pick the charity of YOUR choice to receive a donation as well.

All you have to do is click on this link and place an order:http://www.viaonehope.com/sites/neta-lamas

2.) The 2nd way to help is by placing an online Party Lite order, which will benefit "Bruno's Buddies." I was very blessed throughout this process to have people help me cover the over $20,000 in veterinary bills and hospital costs. Had I not had somebody step up to help me try and help Bruno... he would have been gone weeks ago. I want to be able to pay this forward, by establishing a fund for somebody in need of an emergent procedure, exam, or medicine for their dog.

So how do you help?
Go to: http://www.partylite.biz/sites/nlamas
look for the box that says "Placing an Order for a Party"
Click that. Enter: Bruno Cortijo, as your host
Shop away.

100% of the profits of this event will go to Bruno's Buddies!

3.) The last way you can help is by helping us CELEBRATE each adoption / rescue at Take Me Home Pet Rescue! We are collecting NEW Blankets, Toys, Food, Clothes, Bowls, Towels, Buckets, Baskets, Treats, Leashes, Harness, etc. We want to make sure that each puppy has an easy transition to their forever home and the rescue has supplies that they need to continue to do the AMAZING work that they do (which is ALL completely based on DONATIONS)! 

Author's note-If you are interested in the third option please contact me either through my blog or my Facebook and I will make arrangements with my friend to get this done.