Yesterday I posted the story about Hoagie the hero dog who saved his owners from a mountain lion when they were out hiking. In yesterday’s story the spelling of the dog’s name was Hoagie and today it’s Hoggie, all that matters is that it’s the same dog.
The word has spread about this heroic dog and people are coming forward to help out the couple with his expenses. His owners have fallen on hard times, both had worked in the construction industry, they recently lost their house.
Concerns about Hoggie – who received at least 100 stitches after a mountain lion ripped into his side – prompted offers of assistance from a pet care group in Hollywood and, according to Hoggie’s owner William Morse, from a representative of First Lady Michelle Obama.
And, Morse said the U.S. Forest Service is allowing them to remain at the campground free of charge for a few days while Hoggie, a 5-year-old Queensland Heeler-Labrador mix, recovers. Morse and his wife, Kandy, are living in their RV.
“We’re using bologna to force-feed him the antibiotics,” Morse said. “The next 48 hours are very critical for his recovery.”
The couple is getting some high-profile help. Actors and Others for Animals in North Hollywood agreed to pay half of the vet bill for Hoggie’s surgery after they received an emergency call for help.
“We wanted to make sure this animal received the medical care it needed,” said Susan Taylor, executive director for the group. “It’s unusual to be attacked by a mountain lion, but we’ve paid for dogs attacked by other dogs, coyotes or snakes. We’re here to help the low and fixed income individuals.”
The couple is currently living on unemployment, hoping maybe the park they were camping in might hire them to do odd jobs. Right now they’re concentrating on nursing Hoggie back to health.
We wish the Morse family and Hoggie the best of luck.
