Jenn Hobby's Blog

Been a tough week...

Jul 15

Written by: Jenn Hobby
7/15/2009 9:55 AM 

Dear friends,


It's has been a tough week and here's my story as it has unfolded thus far... I apologize in advance for my inability to be brief, it's very emotional still.


I was driving in the mountains near Murphy, NC when a mountain dog came running at full speed out of the woods and in front of may car. I slammed on the breaks, but hit her nonetheless. My boyfriend, Ben, and I got out and realized that she was badly injured, but still hanging in there. We took her into Murphy, the closest town to us and contacted the emergency veterinarian hospitals there for help. The weekend on-call vet returned our call, but was unable to help. He wasn't even in Murphy at that time and sent us to 911 to call the Humane Society there. The locals who stopped to see what happened told us most people would have just left her on the side of the road. As you can imagine, I was panicking. The little mountain dog was wearing a collar, but no tags. She was breathing heavily and bleeding. We weren't sure if she was going to make it.


We had been on our way to meet Ben's parents for lunch and they jumped into action with us by contacting their vet in Blairsville. I was crying and shaky, feeling the overwhelming guilt for nearly killing this dog, but with a plan and Ben staying calm, I was more stable. We took off the 26 miles to get this dog some help. The on call vet, Dr. Patricia Barnes at the Union County Veterianarian Hospital, along with her tech Holley, immediately started caring for the dog with pain medication, x-rays, stiches, checking for a micro-chip, extracting ticks, etc. At that point they determined she had a fractured leg and hip. She is estimated at about a year and a half old. She has no known owner. As a small town clinic, they were unable to harbor any of the costs for this stray. I took care of that day's expenses, of course, but began to struggle with a decision on what to do. The projected surgery costs were in the thousands.

Distraught, I shared my story on The Bert Show with our compassionate and animal-loving listeners. They are an active community of listeners and understood my guilt, emotion and struggle with what to do. Through listeners' passion and close friends connected to the Atlanta Humane Society, we were put in touch with Dr. Peter Muller at the Briarcliff Animal Clinic. Dr. Muller heard the story and immediately wanted to help. He has been in close contact with the vet in Blairsville and is willing to operate on this sweet dog.
Dr. Muller and the head of his Briarcliff Animal Foundation, Jerry Swanson, are also PILOTS! They have decided to fly from PDK to Blairsville this Thursday to pick up the dog. She will then go under evaluation for any additional health concerns. She is ALREADY scheduled for surgery at Briarcliff Animal Clinic on FRIDAY! Can you believe this? I am overwhelmed at their response and love of this little orphan.

We are tentatively scheduled to leave at 10am this Thursday to pick her up.

We'll be talking about this in the morning tomorrow at 7:30 on Q100 and I have asked Dr. Muller to join us on the air.
I am humbled and overwhelmed at his generosity and compassion. I am hoping she recovers well and becomes a family pet either for me or another loving parent.

If you feel so inclined, Dr. Muller has a rescue charity and can accept donations at the following links:
   http://www.firstgiving.com/petermuller
   http://briarcliffanimalfoundation.wordpress.com/

I'll keep you all posted! Keep this little girl in your prayers.

With love, Jenn


The Briarcliff Animal Foundation (BAF) is a volunteer based, non- profit organization formed exclusively to promote and provide funding for animal care. The idea for BAF evolved as an outgrowth of The Briarcliff Animal Clinic.  The clinic had long been providing financial aid to sick stray and indigent animals.  Further, there was a substantial need to help these animals on a much broader scale.

In 2005, the Briarcliff Animal Foundation was formed. It was a ground breaking year for the foundation and its President, Dr. Peter Muller, III. He personally delivered over $30,000 in veterinary medical relief supplies to Hattiesburg, Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. Dr. Muller (a private pilot) airlifted medical supplies to veterinarians who were displaced as a result of the Hurricane. These supplies helped save the lives of many animals, including dogs and horses which were sick and had been relocated from the coast.  Additionally, Dr. Muller airlifted stranded dogs back to Atlanta, who were treated and made available for adoption.  In total, eight trips were made in relation to the Hurricane relief efforts and were acknowledged in the May 2006 issue, of Atlanta Magazine (”45 Atlantans We Love”).

BAF received non-profit status (501C3) in 2006. The foundation vaccinated and placed around 100 pets to local families and spent $45,000 on stray pets or pets belonging to clients without the financial ability to care for their pet in crisis.

In 2007 Briarcliff Animal Foundation raised $100,000 for the rescue, medical treatment, rehabilitation and adoption of stray and indigent animals in metro Atlanta.The Foundations approach is unique in that it offers medical treatment to injured and sick stray animals along with well care. Their “Purrfect Pet” adoption program provides necessary veterinary care for adoptable cats that might otherwise be euthanized. Now, in an effort to broaden their support in the Atlanta community, BAF provides funding to the following animal related programs around Atlanta; The Atlanta Dog Park- an off-leash park in Piedmont Park where dogs can run and play, University of Georgia Veterinary School, Pets Are Loving Support- provides loving support to pets of Atlanta area persons living with critical illnesses and disabilities and Happy Tails- a therapeutic pet visit program that provides pet visits to individuals in area hospitals.

OUR FEARLESS LEADER!

Peter Muller, III, joined his father and other veterinarians at Briarcliff after graduating summa cum laude from University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. His interests lie in internal medicine and surgery. He has been board certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, and currently is the Medical Director of our hospital. Dr. Muller says that his favorite part of being a vet is “working with the family, kids and pets to solve medical, surgical and behavioral problems.” He and his wife, Jamie, have 3 daughters and 2 cats, Boots and Honey. They recently lost their 13-year-old lab to age-related problems. Dr. Muller’s hobbies include playing with his daughters and pets, aviation, hiking and going to the gym.
 

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17 comment(s) so far...

Re: Been a tough week...

Jenn,

I have been following this story the last few days and can't tell you how happy I was this morning to hear that "Angel" has been taken under the wings of all these wonderful people! I have two rescue dogs myself and am such a unbelievable dog lover that your story brought tears to my eyes today! Anyone that has ever adopted a rescue dog(s) can attest to what an incredible experience it is watching these dogs transform into wonderful family members after coming from all sorts of backrounds....and of course in many cases you never really know. I can't wait to follow the progress of this special creature that was obviously brought into your life for a reason...I am so happy to hear as well that you plan to keep her once she is well enough to come home. :)

It's a wonderful thing that you did by stopping and not leaving her to die on the side of the road....I would have reacted in exactly the same way!!!! I would not want to know someone who did otherwise.

-Kristen H.

P.S. - I hope you plan to post pictures of her once she is a little better.

By Kristen Hanley on   7/15/2009 2:59 PM

Re: Been a tough week...

Hey Jenn,

I was so glad to hear this morning that you are taking Angel in under your wing. I know you will love her and she will bring you so much joy and happiness, it will be unreal. My husband and I rescued a puppy earlier this year and brought her through Parvo and she is the most wonderful animal in the world.

Post some pics when Angel is better!!

Nicole

By Nicole H. on   7/15/2009 5:29 PM

Re: Been a tough week...

Hey Jenn,
I am the inventory and A/R manager at Briarcliff Animal Clinic. I just wanted you to know that one of our loving drug reps e-mailed me this morning and is donating a year supply of heartworm and flea preventative for Angel!

Brooke

By Brooke on   7/15/2009 8:34 PM

Re: Been a tough week...

Hi Jenn,

I have never posted a comment to this or any other blog, but I was so moved this morning by your story and inspired by Dr. Mullers act of compasion. I've been taking my two cats to Briarcliff Animal Clinic since they were babies and having heard that, now have an even deeper respect for him, his staff and their commitment to the care of all animals. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I hope as a result there will be many more happy endings for animals like your new little puppy. I hope she makes a full and quick recovery and that you both enjoy many happy years together. Have a safe trip today and please keep us posted!

Whitney

By Whitney on   7/16/2009 8:38 AM

Re: Been a tough week...

I got this in a forwarded email and thought it was too good to be true. How lovely to find that there are good people still left in the world. I'm from CT, so I don't catch your show, but I'd be a regular if I were local. Thank God there are people like you to help dogs like Angel and bless Dr. Mullers and his staff for their big hearts. This is what being a vet is supposed to be about.

Jenn and Angel, you are going to make quite a team!

Peace,
Jane and the Hole in the Wall Gang

By JaneGael on   7/16/2009 5:29 PM

Re: Been a tough week...

Jen-
I heard your story this am and would like to help your orphan in the coming weeks. In March of this year I began my training in Canine Massage Therapy. I have completed all of my course work, passed my tests, and now am performing case studies to submit for my Certification.
I would like to offer my services to your new four legged friend once she has recovered from her surgery and her physicans have cleared her. This would be free and would last for about 6 weeks. The benefits of massage for canines are the same as for humans and can help assist in the healing process.
Please know she is in my thoughts this weekend.
Once things have calmed down please email me if you are interested.
Melissa Abernathy

By Melissa Abernathy on   7/17/2009 8:36 AM

Re: Been a tough week...

Hi Jenn - Good for you for what you are doing to help poor Carolina! She is percious - I know she will give you back MUCH MORE than you can imagine - rescued babies have a habit of doing just that! :) I went through the same thing once with a cat, and I was absoluetly hysterical. Thankfully Carolina lived. I also want to extol the praises of Briarcliff's Foudnation. I run a small resciue in our neighborhood with another woman, and the other woman had to stop due to illnesses, which meant all the funds come out of my pocket now. She found a badly injured, starving dog in the neighborhood that just needed more care than we coulds afford. Briarcliff took her in to their foundation, and paid for all her vetting needs and found her a wonderful home. I hope you making everyone aware of this great foundation will raise money for them to help so many other animals in need. In addition, I hope your story reminds people about the thousands of dogs put to sleep everyday in shelters in GA - the number keeps growing as people become unemployed, or lose their homes. I hope your story will make some folks out there take a visit to a shelter, a rescue website, etc. and decide to take in a new family member so that others may be saved. PLEASE keep us updaed with pictures and medical updates!

By Krissy Venneman on   7/17/2009 1:36 PM

Re: Been a tough week...

Hi Jenn - Good for you for what you are doing to help poor Carolina! She is percious - I know she will give you back MUCH MORE than you can imagine - rescued babies have a habit of doing just that! :) I went through the same thing once with a cat, and I was absoluetly hysterical. Thankfully Carolina lived. I also want to extol the praises of Briarcliff's Foudnation. I run a small resciue in our neighborhood with another woman, and the other woman had to stop due to illnesses, which meant all the funds come out of my pocket now. She found a badly injured, starving dog in the neighborhood that just needed more care than we coulds afford. Briarcliff took her in to their foundation, and paid for all her vetting needs and found her a wonderful home. I hope you making everyone aware of this great foundation will raise money for them to help so many other animals in need. In addition, I hope your story reminds people about the thousands of dogs put to sleep everyday in shelters in GA - the number keeps growing as people become unemployed, or lose their homes. I hope your story will make some folks out there take a visit to a shelter, a rescue website, etc. and decide to take in a new family member so that others may be saved. PLEASE keep us updaed with pictures and medical updates!

By Krissy Venneman on   7/17/2009 1:39 PM

Re: Been a tough week...

Hi Jenn - Good for you for what you are doing to help poor Carolina! She is percious - I know she will give you back MUCH MORE than you can imagine - rescued babies have a habit of doing just that! :) I went through the same thing once with a cat, and I was absoluetly hysterical. Thankfully Carolina lived. I also want to extol the praises of Briarcliff's Foudnation. I run a small resciue in our neighborhood with another woman, and the other woman had to stop due to illnesses, which meant all the funds come out of my pocket now. She found a badly injured, starving dog in the neighborhood that just needed more care than we coulds afford. Briarcliff took her in to their foundation, and paid for all her vetting needs and found her a wonderful home. I hope you making everyone aware of this great foundation will raise money for them to help so many other animals in need. In addition, I hope your story reminds people about the thousands of dogs put to sleep everyday in shelters in GA - the number keeps growing as people become unemployed, or lose their homes. I hope your story will make some folks out there take a visit to a shelter, a rescue website, etc. and decide to take in a new family member so that others may be saved. PLEASE keep us updaed with pictures and medical updates!

By Krissy Venneman on   7/17/2009 1:49 PM

Re: Been a tough week...

Jenn,
I was so touched by your story, as I was driving into work that morning I was crying so hard in my car. My co-workers all asked me if I was ok when I got to work (being all teary eyed) I shared the story with them and many had heard it as well. Did Angel make it back here ok, and how is she doing?
Dr Mueller is an amazing person and my dog Rocky goes to his clinic.
Thanks so much for posting this story and more importantly doing the RIGHT THING!

By Steven Wolfe on   7/21/2009 8:36 AM

Re: Been a tough week...

Jenn ~ I am a big animal-lover & love my dogs! My husband is a K-9 officer and we had 5 dogs until 2 years ago when we had to put one down... long story short, Jade was a large dog and broke her hind leg. We took her for surgery and had metal screws/plate put in. She was transferred from the hospital to our local vet for after-care (seeing that she wouldn't get much "rest" with the other dogs in the house) I heard your story this morning, and have been following it each day as your baby progresses. I'm writing you because something very tragic happened to our dog when she was recovering from the surgery, so wanted to reach out to you to let you be very aware! Jade was in recovery at the vet and the tech took her e-collar off to feed her... he left the room and she was left alone long enough to get to her back leg and screws and such... she proceeded to tear out every screw in her leg and completely fractured her leg to a point where it was not repairable again... we ultimately had to amputate her leg. She recovered remarkably and lived a very happy life for just about 2 more years... when she tragically broke her other hind leg... we had no choice but to put her down... So, PLEASE - PLEASE watch your baby when that e-collar comes off & do not leave her alone for one minute! Our pets are an incredible part of our lives and they are with us for such a short time, but leave imprints in our hearts forever!

By Nancy on   7/21/2009 10:59 AM

Re: Been a tough week...

Jenn,

I have always been a dog person but never knew how much until just recently. A dog wandered into my mom's yard with a cut leg and ink all over her. Apparently, someone had shot her with a paint gun. My mom didn't know what to do so she called animal control. She didn't have a collar or tags nor was she microchipped. I visited her at Cobb County Animal Control several times and decided to adopt her when she was available. We named her Murphy and she is the most amazing dog. I have always heard adopted dogs are wonderful pets and am now a firm believer. I love, love, love this beautiful animal. I saw Carolina on the news and she is like Murphy's twin. They look EXACTLY alike. You are such a wonderful person for taking such good care of this dog. I hope she gives you as much joy as our addition has given to us!

By Katy on   7/24/2009 8:57 AM

Re: Been a tough week...

Jen,

I just wanted to say thank you for your kindness to this wonderful animal. I cried all the way to work when I heard your story! My husband and I have 6 dogs and are real animal lovers. I did want to get a follow up. I listen every morning, but must have missed something. The last I had heard, you were told that her surgery was scheduled, and that you might be able to take her home the next day. Did everything go well? Is she home? Please let me know. She was sent to you for a reason and I know will make you very happy!!

By Gail on   7/29/2009 1:46 PM

Re: Been a tough week...

Jenn,

I have heard about your journey with Carolina and wasn't too surprised to learn that after such a traumatic experience, she is having some trouble trusting and adjusting to her new environment.

I would like to recommend Tim Link -- an animal communicator in Cummings, GA -- who truly has the gift to connect with animals and help them in situation such as yours.

Tim just recently published his first book "Wagging Tales," which details his successes with finding lost pets, helping animals adjust, etc., etc. Tim has also been on many radio and tv shows across the country -- you may have already have heard of him. I personally have met Tim and had him meet by canine kid Gabby just to check in and see how she's doing -- it was an amazing experence.

In any event, just wanted to throw this out for your consideration. Tim's contact information is

Tim Link
Wagging Tales
P.O. Box 2068
Cumming, GA 30028
1-404-422-6355
TimLink@wagging-tales.com

And his Web site is www.wagging-tales.com/.


I hope this helps. :)

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Next Up On The Bert Show...
About Jenn Hobby

Hi there,
 

Thanks for listening to The Bert Show and Q100! Instead of a typical bio page, I thought it might be fun to answer a few random interview questions I found online...
 

What are you loving right now? Pilates! (With my new friend Peter at Intown Pilates.)
 

What inspires you? People who go to big lengths to help others.
 

What do you love about Atlanta? It's a BIG, small town.
 

What could you not live without? My amazing family and friends, my Blackberry and Smith's Rosebud Salve...
 

What book are you currently reading? "Are You There God? It's Me Chelsea" by Chelsea Handler and Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love" for about the fourth time.
 

Do you read magazines / newspapers, if so, which? Vanity Fair, PEACH, Atlanta magazine, plus the Viva Terra and Crate & Barrel catalogues cover to cover.
 

Any websites you read on a regular basis? All 3 email accounts, people.com, dearsugar.com and google.
 

What TV shows do you enjoy watching? Don't watch too much, but I love the FOOD NETWORK!
 

What's your most loved gadget? Again, the blackberry or my apple iBook.
 

What 3 cool things should someone do when visiting Atlanta? Piedmont Park, Aquarium, Little 5 Points, Cabbagetown.
 

Have you ever auditioned for a reality TV show? Not yet.
 

What's the most interesting place you've visited in the last 12 months? My therapist's office... or a yoga ashram in the Bahamas.
 

Tell us something nobody knows about you? I sneeze when I chew mint gum.
 

What's your fav city in the world and why? Paris, France. It makes you feel more alive.
 

By the year 2010, you will be what / where? Healthier and more centered, living a more truthful self.
 

What music makes you want to dance? Hip hop! I luuuv T.I., Jay-Z, Outkast, Lil Wayne and Ludacris.
 

Does any make you want to cry? Keane, Jenny Lewis, Duffy.
 

Hollywood is going to make a film about your life. Who would you want to play the lead? Kate Hudson
 

Are you your mother? Yep, aren't most of us? I'm proud of that, my mom is the coolest, most thoughtful person I know.
 

What's in your purse right now? An overstuffed Coach wallet, 3 sets of keys, Altoid gum, matches from everybody's pizza, marlboro lights (ugh, I am quitting soon!), a notebook with a thousand lists, Prada sunglasses (total splurge but worth it), highlighters, pens, 3 tubes of lip gloss, silver hoop earrings.
 

Do you read your horoscope? Everyday in the AJC - I'm an emotional Pisces, of course.

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