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Old December 30th, 2004, 12:08 PM
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heidiho heidiho is offline
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Family dog back on all fours after VIP treatment

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (AP) -- Around this time last year, Josie the dog had a broken back, a dislocated hip and internal injuries. A veterinarian suggested putting her to sleep. Instead, the Twedt family decided to skip Christmas presents and use the money to pay Josie's medical bills.

But an outpouring of gifts from around the world soon followed, enabling the Twedt kids to get Christmas presents and Josie to receive multiple operations, twice-a-day whirlpool therapy, and convalescence in a private room with a TV tuned to the Animal Planet channel.

"She's a four-legged pooch again," said Stella Twedt of North Mankato.

Josie, an Australian cattle dog, was hit by a truck near the Twedt home December 5, 2003. Her operations eventually surpassed $7,000. So Doug and Stella Twedt and Stella's three children decided to go without Christmas gifts.

When their story got out, hundreds of pet lovers from Los Angeles to Jamaica to Britain sent the Twedts money, Christmas gifts, cards, pictures of their pets and -- of course -- dog treats for Josie. They sent more than $10,000 and hundreds of gifts.

"We went from trying to explain to a 6-year-old that Santa's going to be lighter this year because a truck ran over her puppy dog to being completely overwhelmed," Doug Twedt said.

Josie recovered in comfort for about six weeks at PineRidge Pet Care in Andover, with weekend visits home. After extensive rehabilitation, Josie, now 6 years old, learned to walk again and is mostly back to her normal self.

Stella Twedt said she could not live without Josie after the dog helped her recover from the stroke she suffered in 2001. The woman, who recently gave birth to a fourth child, got Josie from an animal shelter in 1999 and considers her "my fifth child."

The Twedts said they are keeping this Christmas low-key. The family donated the extra money -- about $1,000 -- to the University of Minnesota for pet owners with severely injured pets and gave dozens of extra toys to charity.

When they finish sending out thank-you notes, they will compile a scrapbook so the kids can remember a year when "the world stopped to take care of their puppy dog," Doug Twedt said.

"It was a powerful lesson in how many wonderful people there are out there," he said.
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Old December 30th, 2004, 12:18 PM
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That is such a wonderful story it brought me to tears.
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Old December 30th, 2004, 12:19 PM
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Red face

That is such a beautiful story......why can't there be more of those?????
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Old December 30th, 2004, 12:22 PM
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Isnt that great,i love it...............
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Old December 30th, 2004, 12:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by heidiho
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (AP)
The Twedts said they are keeping this Christmas low-key. The family donated the extra money -- about $1,000 -- to the University of Minnesota for pet owners with severely injured pets and gave dozens of extra toys to charity.
What a heartwarming story (sniff sniff)

I :love: the fact that they donated the money to charity, to help someone else in a similar situation in the future... "paying it forward"
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Old December 30th, 2004, 12:26 PM
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I know, that whole story is awesome.......................
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Old December 30th, 2004, 12:50 PM
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I would say that this family has its priorities in the right order and are actively teaching those values to their children. However, I would correct one slight technical error. Doing the math, wouldn't Josie be the fourth child and the new baby the fifth?
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Old December 30th, 2004, 01:06 PM
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whinnie-boo whinnie-boo is offline
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I agree Glass...... Josie came before the new baby.

Mind you, regardless of how they prioritize their Children, This was one special Doggy to them, and I only wish we could hear more stories like this. Maybe then I wouldn't be so sad on here all the time.
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2 Female American Red-Nosed Pit-Bull Terriers:
Whinnie Age 3
Boo-Boo Age 1 1/2
2 Medium Haired All Black Cats:
Robert Age 1 1/2
Mango Age 2 1/2
"PIT-BULLS ARE LIKE POTATO CHIPS......YOU CAN NEVER HAVE JUST ONE"

Last edited by whinnie-boo; December 30th, 2004 at 01:07 PM. Reason: spelling
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