Community Corner
Owner Of Seriously Injured Dog: 'We Are Out Of The Woods'
"The thought of losing her broke me." — Kaitlyn McElroy, who thanks the many who donated more than $6K so far to save her dog Maci's life.
SHELTER ISLAND HEIGHTS, NY — It's nothing short of a miracle for Maci Lynn, a dog so seriously injured last weekend that her heartbroken owner wasn't sure her beloved pup would survive.
But now, said Kaitlyn McElroy of Shelter Island Heights, it's the best possible news: "Maci is significantly improving," she told Patch Wednesday.
While veterinarians are waiting for her lung tube to have zero percent fluid before Maci is released, it looks like her joyful homecoming might be this weekend.
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"She is eating and the doctors told us that we are out of the woods," McElroy said. "The whole ordeal was crazy emotional — and the thought of losing her broke me. But now I know she is going to be okay, and I can finally relax and breathe."
Maci, who belongs to McElroy and her boyfriend RJ Hulse — he gave Maci to her as a Christmas gift in 2015 — was severely injured when she impaled herself on a stick while outside on Saturday.
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McElroy said she's eternally grateful for the sea of donations that have flooded in from near and far to help save her dog's life.
And she said she wished to thank the entire staff at the East End Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center "for their dedication, compassion and amazing care they are providing for Maci."
On Saturday, McElroy kicked off a GoFundMe page, "Help For Maci Lynn", which has raised $6,605 of its $8.500 goal so far.
"Because of you all we were able to start the surgery and will be able to pay a portion of her medical bill," she wrote after the initial donations came pouring in. "We can't say how thankful we are for the community coming together for us in our time of need. Financially, this unexpected expense will have a huge impact on us and we truly are so very grateful for your help. We plan to pay all of your kindness forward in a way that will help other animals in need."
McElroy said she and her boyfriend have lost five loved ones in recent years, who were Maci's guardian angels. "She's a miracle baby," she said.
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