By Sue Loughlin of The Tribune-Star, Indiana
“Pet Idol winner finishes road to recovery
From being found on side of road unable to walk to contest champion
TERRE HAUTE — When veterinarian Michael Staub began caring for Reba, a 5-year-old miniature dachshund, the dog couldn’t walk and suffered from a fractured hip and pelvis.
Reba had been found last Aug. 8 on the side of an Edgar County, Ill., road — filthy, hungry and fearful. Staub, a veterinarian at Honey Creek Animal Hospital, believed Reba had been hit by a car or seriously abused.
Because of the extent of her injuries, “I almost was going to put her down … but I couldn’t do it,” he recalled.
Instead, he called Sandy Haggart, a dachshund lover who had participated in dachshund rescues and transports, and who has owned several of them as pets. Staub asked her to foster the abandoned dog until it could stand and walk again.
Between Staub’s veterinary care, and Haggart’s tender loving care, Reba became a survivor.
And now, Reba — so-named by Staub’s staff because of her beautiful red coat (after red-haired Reba McEntire) — is the Tribune-Star’s 2007 Pet Idol contest winner. Reba received 5,331 votes, although Haggart admits she recruited friends, family and co-workers to vote.”
Photo courtesy of tribstar.com
