When a person loves his/her job, he/she will go the extra mile to serve those who are in need.
One veterinarian in Ithaca, New York, traveled for an hour to attend to a senior dog who is fighting for her life.
Chris and Mariesa Hughes, founders of Mr. Mo Project, have adopted Mabel, a 16-year senior chihuahua. Mr. Mo Project is an organization aiming to rescue elderly dogs from shelters across the United States, to provide foster care, and to support the medical needs.
One day, Mabel became very sick, and the couple is determined to do everything to save their beloved dog. She had difficulty breathing. Before Chris and Mariesa took her, she already had several health problems, but it didn’t stop Mabel from being an active dog.
Chris and Mariesa took Mabel at Cornell University Hospital for Animals in Ithaca, New York. Mabel had undergone tracheostomy, a surgery that creates a hole on the neck and inserts a tube on the opening to aid in breathing.
Later on, Mabel’s breathing problem got worse. The hole in her trachea is collapsing. The couple called the hospital to set an emergency appointment for Mabel. Dr. Jared Baum, Mabel’s veterinarian, told Chris and Mariesa to go to the hospital as soon as possible.
It takes three hours to go to Cornell University Hospital for the Animals. While on the road, Mabel suddenly stopped breathing. Her tongue turned purple, and she was flopping as if she was gasping for air. Chris gave Mabel a mouth-to-trachea resuscitation until she breathes again.
Chris and Maries looked for the nearest vet so that Mabel would be checked. They were able to find a small animal clinic, but sadly, they cannot do anything on Mabel’s case.
The couple called Dr. Baum again to tell him about Mabel’s condition. Dr. Baum decided to go to Mabel instead of the couple going to the hospital. He brought with him the necessary equipment, so properly check the dog’s condition.
It took Dr. Baum an hour to arrive at the clinic. He immediately put Mabel in a portable oxygen tank and rushed the dog to the hospital. Dr. Baum was able to save Mabel’s life.
Chris and Mariesa wanted to give Dr. Baum a recognition he deserves for his unselfish act. They created the Compassion Award in his honor to recognize a deserving individual who went above and beyond his/her duties. The Compassion Award recipient will also receive a $2,500 cash prize. Dr. Baum is the first recipient of the Compassion Award.
Thank you, Dr. Baum, for going out of your way to saving Mabel’s life.
Video courtesy of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine via Facebook
