A Little Loganville Girl's Best Friend

It started with a story in The Walton Tribune on Feb. 29, telling the story of then 2-year-old Alida Knobloch from Loganville and her trusty canine companion - Mr. Gibbs. Since then, the story of little Alida and Mr. Gibbs has traveled well outside the boundaries of Loganville. The story has even made it to other countries, as evidenced by the French YouTube version of the Today Show.

Little Alida has a rare disease, neuroendocrine hyperplasia of infancy, a lung disorder occuring in some children that makes breathing very difficult. As a result, Alida has to remain attached to an oxygen tank most of the time. This is where Mr. Gibbs comes in. A trained goldendoodle, Mr. Gibbs has become the little girl's constant companion, trotting alongside her carrying her lifesaving oxygen wherever she goes.

The story has gone viral and in the process is helping raise awareness about this extremely rare condition. The family is raising funds for research into NEHI and the attention Alida and Mr. Gibbs are getting is certainly helping the cause.

To donate, visit www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/sweetalida/nehi