By Inger Sandal
Arizona Daily Star
Dinorah Jaime was looking on Craigslist for an older English Bulldog to adopt when she came across the story of Fiona, a young pit bull who had endured a lot in her brief life.The stray dog had been hit by a bus while fleeing kids who were throwing rocks at her, then taken to the Pima Animal Care Center where one of her legs was amputated. She was adopted but later returned.
She had been placed on a short list to be euthanized when volunteers with Bridge Rescue for Dogs pulled her from the shelter to work with her to improve her chances for adoption. Her photo appeared in last week’s Caliente as Bridge sought an adopter or someone who could foster her as she recovered. Her story resonated with Jaime, an Air Force veteran who works at the student veterans center at the University of Arizona. She plans to bring Fiona into work with her because she believes others will find the dog, now called Lola, inspiring as she continues to learn how to move around on three legs. “Lola has this incredible opportunity to possibly help others after she’s encountered so much suffering in her life,” said Jaime. She believes Lola would be perfect for a new program called Soldier’s Best Friend, which works with Arizona veterans living with combat-related PTSD to train their own dogs to become service dogs. Jaime, who grew up in Tucson and spent more than a decade in the Air Force, plans to graduate from the UA next month, and apply to medical school this summer. She hopes to train Lucas, the pit bull she rescued earlier, to become her service dog while she envisions Lola becoming certified and visiting other veterans. “She’s amazing. She’s the most tender, caring creature ever. She just wants to be loved,” Jaime said. “She just deserved the chance to live the rest of her days in a safe and happy place.”
Adopt Love, Adopt Local
Southern Arizona Mega-Adoption Animal Fair
There will be dozens of rescue groups with adoptable animals of many different types looking for their forever homes.
When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, April 16.
Where: Tucson Expo Center, 3750 E. Irvington Road between Palo Verde Avenue and Alvernon Road.
Admission: Free.
Adoption fees: Vary by organization. Licensing can also be done onsite. Every adoptable animal will be spayed and neutered and be current on their vaccinations.
Learn more: adoptloveadoptlocal.org This website will continue to offer news and information about activities throughout the year.
Entertainment
Last year law enforcement K9 units were clear crowd favorites. Here's this year's lineup:
10 a.m.: Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Noon: Tucson Police Department.
2 p.m.: Pima County Sheriff Department.
Some of the organizations taking part
Cat Groups
Hermitage No-Kill Cat Shelter
Humane Society of Southern Arizona
Pawsitively Cats
Paws Patrol
Pima Animal Care Center
Saving Animals At Risk (SARA)
SOS Cat Rescue
Tucson 2 Tails Cat Rescue
Dogs
Animal Crusaders
Arizona Border Collie Rescue
Arizona Cattle Dog Rescue
Arizona Greyhound Rescue
Bridge Rescue for Dogs, Inc.
Desert Harbor Doberman Rescue of Arizona
Humane Society of Southern Arizona
HOPE Animal Shelter
Pima Animal Care Center
Pima Paws for Life
Southern Arizona Golden Retriever Rescue
Southern Arizona Greyhound Adoption
The Animal League of Green Valley
Tucson Cold Wet Noses
Other Groups
All Pet Travel
Animal Ally of Arizona
Animal Ministry of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church
ASAVET Veterinary Charities
Best Friends Animal Society
Cactus Drug
Central Pet Resort
Dawg House
Handi-Dogs
Happy Trails Pet Services
Holistic Animal Care Shoppe
Ironwood Pig Sanctuary
No Kill Pima County
Pawlicious Pet Treat and More, LLC.
PAW PACKZ
Pit n Proud/Pup Pillows And Other Custom Dog Artifacts
Sabino Canyon Pet Resort
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