Bullitt’s Happy Tail
September 18th, 2019
Handsome Greyhound Bullitt didn’t just save Debbie’s life, he is Debbie’s life. When she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2017, Bullitt wouldn’t let her stay in bed and be defeated by her diagnosis or swallowed by depression. His loyalty, devotion and smile rescued her when nothing else could.
When Bullitt unexpectedly developed pneumonia and required hospitalization, her heart broke not being able to help him the way he had helped her. In only 24 hours, Bullitt went from having a small cough to being completely lethargic.
Debbie had recently survived a car accident and was still recovering from back surgery when he fell ill. Debbie hadn’t been working since the accident and surgery so she spent what money she had getting a diagnosis from the veterinarian. She was concerned about how she would afford his lifesaving treatment, but she knew had to help him no matter what.
“I can’t imagine my life without him – not being able to help him like he helped me will absolutely destroy me.”
While Bullitt received IV fluids and antibiotics at the veterinary hospital, Debbie was hard at work applying for help to pay for his treatment. In addition to receiving CareCredit, she reached out to several different foundations and Greyhound rescues. When she applied for a RedRover Relief Urgent Care grant, an On-Call Angel with a particular love for Greyhounds made the generous and compassionate donation that paid for Bullitt’s hospitalization.
Bullitt missed Debbie so much while he was in the hospital that despite starting to feel much better, he wouldn’t eat what the veterinarian and technicians were giving him! He would only eat when Debbie came to visit him, gobbling down chicken and other goodies right from his mama’s hands.
Once he was strong enough to go home with more antibiotics and a breathing machine, Debbie and her family – her son, another Greyhound, and an Italian Greyhound – held a Nintendo Wii party night in the living room to keep an eye on him. Debbie was grateful to welcome her healthy, happy boy home.
“RedRover saved Bullitt’s life, without them I would have lost my precious boy. It broke my heart not being able to help him when he was in need, RedRover helped me with that. I will be forever grateful to them for saving my precious boy.”
Bullitt’s story doesn’t end there. The On-Call Angel who made his RedRover Relief Urgent Care grant possible wanted to send Bullitt and his two siblings fleece coats made especially for Greyhounds. Greyhounds aren’t just making a fashion statement in their fleece coats – with short fur, no undercoat, and minimal body fat for insulation, they need them to withstand cold winter temperatures.
Now that Bullitt was back in good health and good spirits, he could model his new coat! Debbie wanted the On-Call Angel to know just how meaningful the gift was:
“I will never be able to thank you enough or repay you for what you have done for our family, most of all Bullitt. You have touched my heart more than you know and words could never describe it. It’s an amazing feeling knowing there are people like you in this world. I am moved to tears while writing this email; even though you’re thousands of miles away, I will always think of Bullitt’s Angel and California every time I look at him. Our family will forever be grateful for you and RedRover for saving our baby boy. He sends big smiles and tail wags your way. He wants to let you know if we’re ever in California he would like to personally give you lots of wet kisses.”
