Group Offers Reward for Lost Dog - Fort Worth, TX

A reward for the safe return of a Italian Greyhound is being made available by the Fort Worth Dog Park Association.

"The collective heart of the Fort Woof community broke upon news of the passing of Andrea Benua, a regular and strong supporter of Fort Woof (Dog Park)," wrote Jason C.N. Smith of the Association Jan. 13th. "Sadly Andrea drowned January 11 while trying to save her dogs Artimus and Mallory who had fell into a frozen pond."

Smith said that Benua's other dog, Gollum, an Italian Greyhound, led authorities to the location of her incident, but has not been seen since. The dog was last spotted around the neighborhood streets of Basswood Boulevard in far north Fort Worth, Texas.

Gollum's pictures can be viewed at http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1889023.html.

The Fort Worth Dog Park Association is offering a reward of $250 for the safe return of Gollum.

If you have any information about the animal's whereabouts, email contact@fortwoof.org or call 817-721-6056.

In unrelated animal news, a dog was rewarded with a new home after saving her previous owner in an August fire.

Now Molly, a Labrador mix, is happy with her new digs at the Beaches in Florida. (http://jacksonville.com/community/shorelines/2009-10-03/story/dog_rewarded_with_new_home_after_saving_previous_owner).

"Molly saved a person's life than a whole lot of people worked to save hers," writes Susan Stanton, of Shorelines. "Pam Taylor, the Humane Society's program director, contacted local rescue organizations and found a place for Molly in a facility run by Second Chance Rescue."

Then Ponte Vedra Beach resident Julie Shume, an animal benefactor and rescuer, entered the picture, the article states.

"Shumer and Ponte Vedra Animal Hospital and Ponte Vedra Animal Hospital veterinarian Darryl Hill have worked together to help resettle and rehabilitate animals over the years," says Stanton. "For the first few nights, Molly whimpered and shook in her sleep."

But five months later she is a happy girl.

In other pet news, a homeless kitten suffering from a heart condition is breathing easier thanks to the MSPCA.

Lily, underwent a life-saving surgery to give her weak heart a chance to fight at three months of age. The orange kitten was operated on to correct pectus excavatum, a congenital defect of her sternum that limited her ability to breathe and placed stress on her already weak heart, according to a press release.

"We have been caring for Lily for nearly her entire life," said MSPCA Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center manager Meagan Rock in a statement. "Lily is the last remaining kitten from her litter that was surrendered to the MSPCA-Boston along with her mother."

Lily's surgery was made possible thanks to donations made to Spike's Fund which provides emergency medical treatment for homeless animals in need.

To make a donation to help other animals like her, access https://secure2.convio.net/mspca/site/Donation2?idb=783069438&df_id=6780&6780.donation=form1&JServSessionIdr004=e3vf970515.app5b online.