Aaahh, the SUV! It's America's symbol for achievement, wealth and prominence. But two neighbors in Syracuse, New York looked at an SUV and saw something entirely different.

A young mixed breed dog about 10-12 weeks old was forced to live in this luxury prison for an undetermined amount of time in cold November weather. Karen found Willi as she was taking a walk. His head suddenly popped up, turning it from side to side in a gesture of curiosity and uncertainty.

He seemed to be asking, "Do you know why I'm here?" Karen took a closer look inside the vehicle. What she saw was appalling. Willi was living in his own waste, and there was no food or water to be seen.

Hastily, she canvassed the neighborhood until she found the owner of the SUV. Once she did, the woman agreed to surrender the dog to Karen. Karen immediately called on her friend Janet and the two discussed the problem. They agreed to jointly foster Willi.

A grateful Willi was released from his luxury prison and taken to Janet's duplex. There he met her greyhound and two cats. But upon closer inspection of her new charge, Janet realized something was very wrong with Willi. He had a deformed bottom jaw. It was very small and his bottom teeth didn't match up to his top teeth. Basically, his bottom teeth were drilling into the roof of his mouth creating a hole in his palate.

Can you imagine how painful it would be to eat? Janet's despair over the young dog's health went far beyond his physical well-being. Janet was struggling to survive with her three companion animals. Her landlord, who paid for Willi's neutering and shots, was leaving for Iraq, and had decided to sell the duplex.

Desperate to help the young dog, she contacted a no-kill shelter about taking Willi. But the news was grave. Without dental surgery, Willi would live in a cage and eventually put down.

Janet couldn't do that to Willi. So, she called another friend, DeeDee, about Willi's plight. And that's when The Mosby Foundation got involved. DeeDee put the word out about Willi's health situation but got little response. "I have a feeling that although I blasted to hundreds of people in yahoo groups, no one will help a dog that hasn't been lit on fire or beaten. Dental surgery is probably not up there for a sob story." (Carole-great pull quote).

But The Mosby Foundation did come through. We helped make up the difference Willi desperately needed to get the surgery. Thanks to DeeDee's garage sale and some private donations, Willi is coming along nicely.

Janet and Karen are still sharing foster responsibilities with Willi. But still no home for this great dog. DeeDee says he is a middle-sized Lab/Doberman mix with a lot of energy. Willi is funny and happy, very people and kid-friendly. What's not to love?

Three women stepped up to the plate to save a young dog's life. It's more than admirable; it's heroic. DeeDee told us, " You should be proud that your foundation was able to help this sweet boy. Everyone at Cornell loved him. Now if only we can find him a home!"

Yes, were glad to give Willi a chance to eat normally. But the real heroines here are Karen, Janet and DeeDee. Without them, there would be no story to tell.

Thank you, ladies, for your dedication, compassion and courage!

.....back