Drive-By Shooting--Gary, WV

Walter and Annetta Blankenship have big hearts. With 3 dogs and 2 cats, all of them former strays, they understand the plight of homeless animals. And, they welcome them with open arms. So, when Suzie, a small Beagle with 3 pups, showed up at their Gary, West Virginia home, the Blankenships made room for all of them.

But arriving home from work one evening last fall, the Blankenships were unable to find their new companions. So, they headed out for an extended walk to look for them. But they could find nothing. As they headed back to their house, they heard a gunshot. What they saw terrified them. Someone on a four wheeler drove up and shot Nuggett, one of Suzie’s puppies, for no apparent reason. Then they drove off.

Nuggett dragged himself to safety, seeking out tall grass in which to hide. It took Walter and Annetta about 30 minutes to find him. When they finally did, Nuggett had been shot in the neck and suffered soft tissue injury, as well as multiple fractures. ! ! ! !

The Blankenships carefully laid Nuggett in their car and drove an hour to Princeton, West Virginia, to see their veterinarian. But, Nuggett’s injuries were extensive. With a bullet hole leaking air into his lungs, their vet called the Virginia Tech College of Veterinary Medicine and made arrangements for the injured dog and the Blankenships.

Driving another 30 minutes, Walter and Annetta found themselves on the helpful doorstep of one of the country’s leading veterinary schools. They explained what happened and left all that they could scrape together, $250, for a deposit. But after a week, Nuggett was still in ICU, still full of pellets and a bill that had reached more than 8 times the Blankenships’ deposit.

The Mosby Foundation assisted Walter and Annetta with a financial portion of Nuggett’s medical bill. And this is what they wrote to us: “We don’t know how to thank you all for your kind and God sent donation. Our little Nuggett is at home now and doing very well, thanks to the staff at Virginia Tech and you all.”

Nuggett is only a year old. In his short life, he has seen the best and the worst of humanity. With the Blankenships tender loving care and guidance, let’s hope it’s the
love he remembers most.