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!!!

[Pam Thomas]

I would love to help.I can't imagine anything that would help you heal your soul, not just you body than a doodle..Just having mine to look forward to has brought me out of a deep hole. And add this community to it and what better gift.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Thanks Pam--more details to follow--off to the bank now.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Ginny, I am in and just let me know what I have to do to send a donation!  I saw this story on the Today Show (I think it was that show) just last week.  It was a tear jerker, but in a good way.  

[Ginny Nightingale]

Thank you! Will be in touch!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Ginny count me in! This would be a wonderful gift. Since I'm sure their resources will be limited…just wondering if a pet insurance company would donate a policy?  Hmmmm….we could try asking.   

[Ginny Nightingale]

good idea! Anyone want to try? Contact me for more info.

[Brittney & Cally]

Cheryl, that is a fantastic idea!

[DonMarie and Picco]

Awesome idea! We'll be happy to contribute.  I have a friend that occasionally does the marathon and luckily he wasn't there that year.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I am requesting you as a friend if you responded to this discussion and we are not already friends--that way, I can send you a message with details on how to contribute! Every little bit helps! I also have contributions coming in from 10 people who have bought puppies I raised, so we are on our way!

[Jordan & Daisy]

I am in also!