FRANKFORT, Maine — When Molly the missing black Labrador limped out of the woods and into Elizabeth Johnson’s arms earlier this month, it cheered the hearts of many who had rooted for her survival.
The dog had been a passenger and run away in the hubbub following a fatal Nov. 8 car accident on Route 1A in Prospect. Susan and Powell Johnson, her owners, both were injured in the crash and William Dunham, 79, of Frankfort, was killed.
Molly was missing for a week, and was so happy to see the Johnson’s 20-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, she wagged her tail “100 miles a second.”
She’s still a happy dog, the college student, said. But the same can’t be said for the young woman, who is struggling with paying for the dog’s extensive veterinary bills because her parents are not able to right now.
Molly’s radius and ulna were broken and she has floating bone fragments — probably because she was walking on the broken leg in the woods for a week.
“Molly doesn’t know that her surgery is going to cost a lot of money, so she’s in great spirits right now,” Elizabeth Johnson said earlier this week. “She is so happy. I’ve never seen a happier dog in my life.”
Although Johnson initially had been told that Molly needed a surgical procedure on her leg that would cost a few thousand dollars or face an amputation, that estimate went down sharply Thursday, according to Laurie Howarth, a veterinarian who owns Medomak Veterinary Services in Waldoboro.
Howarth said she had received information from the specialist who evaluated Molly. Instead of the surgery, the first step will be to see if the family pet’s injured leg will heal with a splint. In six weeks, Molly will be X-rayed again and her recovery will be re-evaluated.
“If it’s not healing, do we do something surgical? Do we amputate?” the veterinarian asked.
If they get lucky, the leg will heal with just the splints. But even then, with the costs of the sedation, the X-rays and being resplinted, Molly’s bills could easily run from $600 to $1,000, Howarth said.
“[Johnson] has a legitimate problem that she does not have the money to help this dog,” the veterinarian said. “She’s trying to be responsible for it, because the original owners are not able to be responsible after being in the accident.”
Johnson, who also works part time while being a full-time college student, has started a fund for Molly’s medical bills and is hoping some of the people touched by Molly’s story might give a little money. Even a dollar could make a difference, she said Wednesday.
“I know it’s tough — with the holidays and the recession, people are trying to pinch every penny,” she said. “But with my parents not being able to work at the present time, it’s been tough. I’m just hoping for the best.
“Every situation is unique, but situations like this are emergency situations. Nobody has the money laying around for it. I’m hoping a lot of people can empathize.”
To help the fund for Molly’s medical bills, visit http://mollyslegsurgery.chipin.com/mollys-leg-surgery
The link for chip in is incorrect Click on the link that says “started a fund…” to get to the right place.
Thanks!
Donated. Thanks for the heads-up!
some auto insurance polices include coverage for pets that are injured in an automobile accident. I know that Progressive has coverage. It might be worth investigating that option.
Too late for that now…policy should be in place _before_ the accident
It may be part of the existing policy. It wouldn’t hurt to check
True
I think he meant to check to see if they HAD the rider in place at the time of the accident…not try to get the rider after the accident.
I’m glad Molly is alright and has been reunited with her family. She’s so adorable! Hopefully, enough money is raised for her leg treatments. Wishing Molly a speedy recovery!
There is also pet insurance, but like auto policies, that cannot be accessed after the event. Anyone ever buy/use pet insurance before? If so, what was your experience?
We had pet insurance (VPI), our dog came down with pneumonia, they refused to cover it, we dropped them.
This was years ago, may be worth seeing if things have gotten better.
Wow- that surprises me. I had a VPI policy on my last pup and found them very good, very prompt in reimbursing me. I had researched countless companies before I settled on them. I had the very best coverage they offered and it was expensive ($52 a month) but it was the best peace of mind. Sadly, my pup got hit and killed at only 18 months of age last spring. I’m still grieving- never lost one like that before and don’t know if I’ll ever get another dog as a result.
I’m very sorry to hear that :(
The VPI thing was a while ago, so maybe they’ve gotten better.
Looks like they have enough money and then some for the
current treatment regimen. I was going to donate. How about an
update from the owner/vet so we can be sure Molly gets whatever
is needed but we don’t throw money away.
Need an update on the Waterville shelter food drive too. I went down
there last Saturday and have never seen so much dog food in one place.
C’mon BDN……..follow-up please.
Is there an update on the Chip In total? Loads of people have donated (including myself), but the total still sits at $470 on my screen. I’m sure it’s well over 1000 by now.
Shows $1900.00 on the “Chip-In” site.
I will be calling the vet to verify the situation and if needed
deal directly with the vet’s office. I think that is the safest
way to go.
Thanks! Mine still says $470 when I open it. Dog people have generous hearts. Glad she let us know that a little help was needed for Molly. Sounds like people rose to the occasion very quickly!
Dogs need to wear seat belts or be in seats specifically
designed for their size. Too many loved pets go missing after an accident due
to fear and confusion. The broken leg
might have been prevented if she were properly secured. I am happy Molly is
doing so well.
I would like to send a donation directly to the veterinarian or to an address rather than online. Is there a way to do this? Maybe I will call the veterinarian’s office.