Help save Hazel!

It was supposed to be an uneventful night visiting with my mom. Instead, it turned into a nightmare. While I was away, my beloved 1 1/2 year old Hazel was let out to go potty, and my neighbor shot her with a .38 handgun. She collapsed on our "puppy paths" bleeding when she was carried inside. We rushed to Metropolitan Emergency vet hospital in Copley, Ohio where I sit currently writing this. I've been told the bullet broke her ribs, crossed her lung and diaphragm and ended its trajectory in her intestines. She has pneumothorax (air in her chest cavity) which makes breathing painful and difficult, and her red blood count is low and white count elevated. She was shaking and in shock when I carried her 45 pound body into the hospital. 

Right now I don’t know how much this is going to cost. I spent $1600 of my savings trying to save my other extraordinarily special lead dog, Big Brown, from brain cancer in May - most all of my savings. I don’t go back to teaching at the University until the end of August and teachers - even professors of English - don’t make a lot when they only have a masters. 

So, out of desperation, I created this account to help save Hazel's life. A few people suggested that I give up and have her put down. This isn't an option for me; it's not even a thought. Because if she dies, a violent man with a gun wins. And I refuse to allow that to happen. 

If you share this link, please use the hashtag #justiceforhazel



Hazel watching me from the window with my rescue cat, Wally.


Any funds raised above what is needed for her medical expenses will be used for legal fees to pursue a civil case against the man who shot Hazel. 

If you would like to read about her progress, please visit my blog, http://diamonddogsracing.blogspot.com 

Thank you!