Teacher Barbara Johnston’s fourth-grade class at Oxford Elementary is raising money to help a young dog get the surgery she needs to be adopted into a loving home and live a healthy life.
‘Each class is doing a different community service project,? Johnston said. ‘We had kids raising money for Haiti and they realize that’s a good thing, but they were looking for more of a local project.?
The dog’s name is Maggie and she’s a 3-year-old Labrador Retriever under the foster care of Oakland Township resident Amber Avery, who volunteers with the K-9 Stray Rescue League (www.dogsaver.org/k9srl) in Oxford Township.
‘She’s very good-natured. She gets along with most other dogs. With people, she’s great,? Avery said. ‘She likes to play ball. She’s good with cats. She comes when she’s called outside. She’d be a great family dog.?
Unfortunately, Maggie was the victim of over-breeding.
Apparently, she was cruelly used over and over again to breed puppies for profit, then callously dumped at a local animal control facility.
She tested positive for heartworm and has torn ligaments in both her hind knees.
‘She keeps most of her weight off of her right back leg because that’s her worst leg,? Avery said. ‘She does a lot of limping. She’s very limited on exercise right now . . . She compensates for it well. It’s not like people where we’d be on pain meds for it.?
The heartworm treatment and leg surgery will cost between $1,700 and $3,200, depending on the type of surgery she has done.
Maggie’s health problems must be resolved before K-9 Stray Rescue can find her a permanent home.
‘Without the surgery, she’d be in constant pain and we would have to euthanize her,? Avery explained. ‘It’s not something that heals on its own. It is something that will get progressively worse.?
Johnston’s students are raising money for the more expensive surgical option because it will be better for Maggie’s health in the long run.
‘We are going for the best outcome for her,? she said.
Maggie visited OES students during their lunch periods March 29, when the fund-raising effort began.
‘We wanted them to see who it’s actually going to benefit,? Johnston said.
So far, OES kids have raised $220 for Maggie.
‘I was hoping maybe we’d be done by the end of April, but I’m willing to keep it going as long as the kids are,? Johnston said.
According to Avery, K-9 Stray Rescue is willing to contribute $500 toward the surgery and she’s already secured some private donations. But even with the money from OES, Maggie is still short between $1,000 and $1,200.
Johnston’s students are working on other fund-raising ideas such as conducting a pop bottle/can drive and hosting special days where students donate money to wear things like hats and pajamas in school.
‘I’m really putting them in charge of it,? Johnston said. ‘They’re handling it all themselves.?
The kids are also collecting supplies for the K-9 Stray Rescue League such as Nylabones, Kongs, tennis balls and other toys, bleach, Pine-Sol, Science Diet dog food, paper towels, trash bags, newspaper to line the cages, new or used towels, peanut butter and medium-sized dog collars.
‘It’s been a huge help having the kids do this,? Avery noted. ‘We certainly appreciate it at the shelter. I know it makes a big difference.?
Monetary donations for Maggie and supply donations for the rescue league are currently being accepted at the OES front office.
The school is located at 109 Pontiac St. in the Village of Oxford. The building is currently closed for spring break, but will reopen Monday, April 12.