An opportunity to help a Boston Marathon bombing victim get a puppy

[Ginny Nightingale]

Hello to all--I hope you will all read this with an open mind and an open heart. I recently got a call from a very nice man who was very very seriously injured in the Boston marathon bombing last April...without going into too much detail, I will tell you that he has lost a leg, both eardrums (hears only with two hearing aids) and is hoping his other leg eventually heals. He was in the hospital longer than any other victim of the bombing. He has a son and a lovely fiancé and they will be married this Spring. Their inspiring story has appeared on TV--they are part of an upbeat close family that has dealt with this blow as well as possible.  

So, now we get to the labradoodle part. His fiancé has some allergies to animals and they are hoping to get a labradoodle pup from my breeder in a few months. I told him about the chances you take with doodles and allergies, but they have their hearts set on a doodle pup. He has access to service dog trainers who will volunteer to help him train the pup (not to be a service dog, but just obedience training for the family.) 

Now, this guy is getting a lot of help--they are getting a new home that is handicapped accessible and other donations--which, in my opinion, is wonderful--and he did not ask for a donation of a puppy.  He intends to buy one as a wedding gift for his fiancé. But I could not help thinking about how the awesome DK community could help this young man and his fiancé by making donations to buy this pup for him. Of course, my breeder and I will chip in too--but she already donates puppies to several programs and, as a single woman, can't really afford to donate a pup.

So, I am thinking I will set up a bank account for donations and will private message anyone willing to donate with the account number and how to donate. Even a few dollars from many people will help to defray the cost and then the "puppy money" he was going to spend could go towards something else they need. Right now he has plenty of support, but eventually, the donations will stop coming in, people will move on and he will still have these tremendous obstacles to deal with.

I am interested in your opinion on this --if people are behind it and would like to help, then I will contact each of you early next week with the details. Too snowed in today to do much of anything!

If you think it is a terrible idea, maybe you could just refrain from criticizing too much as this is an emotional thing for many of us here in the Northeast--I don't want this to become a debate, OK? Thanks to you all!!! You are all awesome!!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Ginny, I would happily contribute! I do wish they would consider a poodle due to the allergies, but that said, count me in.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I did mention that to them, Laurie--her allergies are not that severe and they are hoping this will work--see my reply to Nicky and THANKS!!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Count me in too if you are sure this pup will be a 'forever' dog.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Oh yes, this will be their pet and we will be sure she does not react to it before making a final decision on a puppy--we have had good luck placing pups with people with allergies so far...we have done it quite a bit--these are multigens and people seem to be OK with the curlier ones....also, he is deaf without his hearing aids and they want a dog that will alert them at night when they are sleeping to strangers near the house--I guess she has trouble sleeping because she knows he can't hear anything...their 6 year old is excited too--this is the right thing as he has hoped for a dog for a long time and now has the house and yard so that he can have one.

Thanks!!

[Brittney & Cally]

Count me in! I think this is a lovely thing to do and I would be happy to contribute whatever I can!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Thanks !!!

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Ginny, count me in as well.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Thank YOU!

[Jennifer and Jack]

I like the idea ....I worry about the allergies but I love to bless people but I am so incredibly limited on my income and there are so many doodles who need rescuing.....chemo treatments, DRC has sick dogs.....I just for my own budget have to give to the hurting and sick dogs already here needing immediate help.....but if I had more money I would ..

[Ginny Nightingale]

Thanks Jen, I understand and appreciate your support for the cause--money is not necessary--just knowing that you care is a big help. I think we are well on our way towards the goal!

[Donna Bay & Buzz]

I would be more than happy to help!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Thanks!!!