volunteer Lisa Easton and her family. The Easton's also have a blind dog and so could better relate to the additional care that was needed for a blind dog. Fellow AC&C volunteer Linda Petros and Lisa Easton, along with Vet Tech Supervisor Sandy Gainey stepped up to the plate to the challenge of restoring this young , sweet dogs eye sight. All that was needed for her was care and love from a human and $3000. What a small price to pay for this young girl to spend the rest of her life seeing her surroundings.
Animal Care & Control's operating budget does not allow for extensive or sophisticated medical treatments needed by some of the animals who come into the shelter. Fortunately, there are countless benevolent souls in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area who share their hard-earned, often limited resources with animals in a variety of ways, including contributions to Animal Care & Control's 2nd Chance Medical Fund. This fund is privately supported, is not a part of the agency's budget. This fund has produced some amazing stories, and Lulu would become one of them. Cataract surgery would cost $3,000.
The 2nd Chance Medical Fund could provide some of the financing for Lulu's surgery. With Animal Care & Control's approval, Linda and Lisa began fund raising. This lovely pup would see again if they could find a little extra help, and find help they did! From pocket change to $500 checks, citizens of Charlotte contributed to Lulu's treatment through a variety of venues. A gift wrapping event was held at Barnes & Noble's Sharon Road store, where Lulu touched shoppers' hearts. Citizens availing themselves of Animal Care & Control's Spay/Neuter and Rabies Shot clinics contributed for the doe-eyed charmer as she encouraged their dogs and cats to be brave. The Wine Vault at the Shoppes at University Place graciously provided space for a donation table. Animal Care & Control received mailed donations, and e-mailed inquiries about sending money for Lulu's treatment.
With all that love and sufficient practical help in place, on March 6, 2009, at 5 AM, Foster Moms Linda and Lisa took blind Lulu to The Carolina Veterinary Specialist in Greensboro where Kelly Sigle, DVM, implanted bilateral corneal replacements. At 4PM on March 6, 2009 Lulu walked out of the doctor's office with sight. Does a dog have an "Aha!" moment when she awakens to visions that her brain had never before processed? Suddenly, there are new perceptions associated with sounds, textures and smells she is used to. Is that frightening? We hope not. But surely it is a bit confusing, as any new experience might be. Lulu emerged with her artificial lenses in place, groggy and ready to go home. There were hugs and tears, and heartfelt appreciation. Everyone was awed as they watched Lulu make sense of things she encountered on leaving the building that she could not see when she entered it a few hours earlier. Things like markings on the floor, corners, cracks in the pavement, the curb she had negotiated that morning. Lulu's latest update is that she is doing fantastic and has passed all of her eye appointment rechecks with flying colors. She has been adopted by a wonderful family and is truly living and SEEING life to its fullest.
Lulu is the most recent of many animals to have benefitted from the generous spirits of Mecklenburg County. She is one of many who have been championed by intrepid CMPD Animal Care & Control staff and volunteers determined to set things right for their most beleaguered charges. Whether by contribution to measures such as the 2nd Chance Medical Fund, or by otherwise working with or for animals, Charlotte-Mecklenburg citizens continue to offer its very special critters new leases on life and loving homes in which to become all they were born to be.
