Fundraising under way for shelter dog in need of surgery

Stormy has lots of pet names.

"Sweetie pie," "gentle giant," "wonderful ambassador" and "a real charmer" are a few that roll off the tongues of staff and volunteers as they describe the lovable pit bull/Rottweiler cross.

"She wins you over," Flathead County Animal Shelter Director Kirsten Holland said about the affable canine. "She's a wonderful ambassador for the power breeds. I'd trust a baby around her."

But Stormy has big problems.

The tendons in both of her back knees are blown out and she needs surgery. Flathead Shelter Friends is taking the lead in raising $2,000 to cover half the cost of the bilateral knee surgeries.

Whitefish veterinarian Jim Thompson, who will do the procedures and has deemed Stormy an ideal candidate, is subsidizing the rest of the cost.

"These surgeries are the only way that this wonderfully sweet young adult dog will have a chance to have a more normal life with reduced pain and increased mobility and range of motion," said Cindie Jobe, a shelter volunteer and member of the Animal Shelter Advisory Committee.

Stormy was surrendered to the shelter in January because her owner couldn't afford the veterinary bills, Holland said. Initially, shelter workers thought they would have to euthanize the dog, but she found a good foster home so Holland said "Let's wait and see."

Though Stormy still suffered from knee injuries, she thrived in the foster home. Then six weeks ago the foster caregivers brought her back to the shelter, saying they had lost their jobs and were moving back to Maryland.

Determined not to give up on the dog, volunteers kicked into fundraising mode for the needed surgery.

Holland wants to secure a permanent home for Stormy before the surgery is done and is hoping the adopting party will make a $100 donation toward the surgery, in addition to the $75 adoption fee and $10 license.

Holland has been caring for Stormy in the evenings and on weekends, and said the dog's eventual owner will need a secure home environment and will need to be committed to the dog's ongoing checkups and care.

Those wanting to help can send donations to Flathead Shelter Friends, P.O. Box 567, Lakeside, MT 59922; or go to the Web site at http://flatheadshelterfriends.com.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com