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Gunshot Billy

IMG_9952IMG_9950 Gunshot Billy FB 8-8-17He got shot. They heard the gunshot, he didn’t come home. The next morning they found him, dragging himself across the sidewalk toward their front door. No one knows for sure how far he’d been dragging himself but it was a ways. His back legs didn’t work; yet somehow he pulled himself sideways to get home to the only place he knew. He hurt real bad, they could see it. They got him to the vet, spent $286 they didn’t have to pay for things they never expected to need. Radiographs, pain meds, antibiotics. That’s when they learned the bullet was there, inside that leg, a leg that was shattered. A leg that needs to be amputated.

She worked for many years cleaning rooms in hospitals, one of the unsung heroes. And now at 75, in her golden years, and her social security doesn’t even pay the mortgage. A mortgage that will never be paid off in this lifetime. If she could she’d go back to work, health issues don’t allow it. And her husband, he’s fighting cancer. Their cats, that’s the engine that keeps them going. And now, out of the blue, Billy got shot and they don’t have the money to help.

A local veterinarian suggested they call The Pongo Fund. And she called. I just got home a few minutes ago from visiting them, I needed to meet them. Even in pain, they were both gracious. Snuggled tight against his Mom’s chin, you can see the hurt in his eyes. But he’s home, he’s safe; you can see that too.

It was clear what we needed to do.

We’ve already been on the phone calling the surgeon at home, working on a game plan. Maybe later this week we’ll be in surgery, as soon as possible is the goal. Koby said she has an emergency fund, it’s her water heater fund, that’s the money she has socked away to pay for water heater repairs during the winter. That’s the kind of thing you only do after your water heater has gone out during the winter and you can’t afford to have it fixed.

So that fund, it holds $500 to be used in case of winter emergencies. But it’s August and 100 degrees. She wants to give us the $500 to help pay for Koby. I said no. She said she must. I said thank you.

I will pay $500 too, that’s my water heater fund. Now we’re at $1000, halfway there. I know someone who will give $100, maybe someone else will give $300? That leaves $600, that’s what we need. If you can, please click here and put “For Gunshot Billy” in the comments: https://www.thepongofund.org/contact/donation-page/

The bullet will be extracted and provided to the police for their report, this is the real deal. And Billy, he’ll put this behind him and continue to Billy On with three legs. And Koby will continue to do all she can for all who need her. For her husband. For Billy. And for three more kitty cat friends who adore her as their Mom. Along with the son she raised who wasn’t even her son, but that’s the kind of woman she is. She helps everyone else, now maybe we can help her?

There’s more to the story, my tears, I can feel them percolating. I need to sign off now. Please help: https://www.thepongofund.org/contact/donation-page/.

For the cat that dragged himself home, further than any of us will ever know. And for the woman who was there waiting for him.

Being there for them.

And this is why we Pongo.

Will you please share this post so that other cat lovers can help? Because no kitty friend ever deserves to be shot and left for dead.

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live. thepongofund.org
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