Abused pup is a frolicking little Miracle
The pit bullterrier that was found tortured last month has made "awesome" progress and is learning to eat and drink on her own again.
By JAMAL THALJI
Published January 12, 2006
CRYSTAL SPRINGS - Casts covered her right foreleg and both hind legs. They're off now, and she's able to chase down her ball all over the clinic.
More than half her tongue was amputated, leaving her dependent on IVs and humans for sustenance. Unable to lap up anything, she's learning to eat and drink on her own again.
When the dog known as Miracle was brought to the veterinary clinic on Dec. 5, the 6-month-old pit bullterrier had been tortured, starved and left for dead.
But several weeks and four surgeries later, Miracle is well out of danger. She will live, the clinic said, and live. She can walk and run again. She can eat and drink again. She can even bark and play and have fun.
In short, she's a puppy again.
"Oh my gosh, the progress has been awesome," said Crystal Springs Veterinary Clinic office manager Pam Edris. "She didn't even resemble a puppy when she came in.
"Now she acts like a puppy. She can move around. She's starting to eat really good."
Carpenter Gary Franckewich named her Miracle because when he found the 14-pound puppy her tongue was infested by maggots and sticking out of jaws tied shut with a rubber band. She was malnourished and dehydrated. But she was still alive.
He took her to the clinic, where the veterinarian learned Miracle also suffered from a broken elbow on her right foreleg, a broken right hind leg, a broken left hip joint and rotting flesh.
Since then thousands have been donated from across the Tampa Bay area and around the United States to pay for Miracle's medical care and a reward - now at $9,400 - leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever abused her.
Miracle requires a fifth surgery, on her hip, but she's too young to have it now. Six months is the wait.
The case is still under investigation. Authorities still haven't decided who can take Miracle home. Franckewich hopes he can. He was at the clinic Christmas morning with presents for Miracle. At home there's more in a stocking with her name on it.
"I still have people come up to me and say, "The dog should have been put down,' " he said. "I'm like, "How can you even say that?'
"I know she's just a dog, but she has a chance now to live a normal life with somebody who loves her and be happy."
TO HELP MIRACLEMiracle is being treated at Crystal Springs Veterinary Clinic, which can be reached at (813) 788-4511. The clinic is asking donors to send checks in care of the clinic to P.O. Box 818, Crystal Springs, FL 33524. Anyone with information about what happened to the puppy is asked to call the Pasco County Sheriff's Office toll-free at 1-800-706-2488 or contact Pasco County Animal Services at (352) 521-5194, (813) 929-1212 or (727) 834-3216. For information about the reward, contact Jo-Dan Auto Sales at (727) 846-0446 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.