CHEK Upside: Ladysmith dog gets new lease on life with community help

CHEK
WatchTaryn and Mary Carr's dog Casey was seriously injured in a cougar attack back in October. Island animal lovers have rallied behind them to get Casey back on the road to recovery.

Back in October Taryn Carr and her mom Mary were out in their Ladysmith yard with their dogs Jojo and Casey when the two pups went exploring.

“My mom was outside and I heard rustling in the woods beside our house,” says Taaryn.

Turns out both dogs had been attacked by a cougar. With the help of a friend mother and daughter managed to scare off the animal but not before Casey suffered significant injuries.

“Luckily it dropped Casey cause it actually had its mouth around her head,” says Taaryn.

“So we just immediately put her in the back of my SUV and started heading towards the vet,” says Mary.

After neurosurgery in Vancouver, the Irish Terrier was on the road to recovery, but her vet bills started pilling up. Taryn and Mary maxed out their credit cards paying for most of the costs upfront.

That’s when Islanders started stepping in. A GoFundMe page has raised over $20,000 and local businesses such as Krazy Kritter Kookies have also pitched in with donations.

“I have a program called the pet of the month program,” says store owner Angela Seguin. “This family is just pouring out all of their money, they just went out and wanted to help this animal.”

The community support has overwhelmed both Taryn and Mary.

“You didn’t think that people would all come together in that sort of way,” says Taryn.

“More than the financial support, the emotional support, the messages,” adds Mary.

It’s been a long journey, but seeing Casey get better has made it all worthwhile.

“I wasn’t sure if her personality would be affected and when she started shaking her stuffies again and trying to jump on the bed and doing all her little twirls I was like she’s still the same dog,” exclaims Taryn.

To help with the rest of Casey’s medical bills, head to her GoFundMe page.

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Cole SorensonCole Sorenson

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