Let me introduce myself.
My name is Phoenix.
You may have heard about me. I’m that girl that was hit by a car on I-69 Friday, April 5, 2024. Let me tell you my story, it’s one for the books.
I had been spotted in the days leading up to my accident but I wasn’t about to let these humans catch me. Looking back, it’s seems they were just trying to help. On Friday, I made my way into a stranger’s fenced back yard. The stranger called some other people, thinking I might be one of those wild dogs, I think you call them coyotes. Anyway, there was a man in a brown uniform that showed and was watching me and saying nice things. Then another man arrived and I heard this him say he was from some animal shelter place. They both seemed nice but I got really scared when they tried to come closer. I took a huge leap over the fence and away I went. I knew they couldn’t chase me down. I ran so fast until I couldn’t see them anymore. As I was running, I realized I really liked this free feeling. I thought I was untouchable, invincible even. After a while, I took a little nap before I went on my next adventure.
I woke up from my nap ready to experience that exhilarating freedom again! I took off as fast as I could, through the giant trees. I could hear the crunch of the leaves under my paws. Then into this wide open green grassy pasture. I jumped and played, feeling the sun on my face. This was the life. As I continued to run faster and faster, I saw another fence ahead. I prepared to take flight. I hit the grass on the other side thinking I did it again! I was looking back at the fence I just cleared, feeling so proud of myself… then…. BAM!
Everything went black for a bit.
I woke to cars near me, a new human petting me, telling me, “Its ok.” Over and over. I was really scared and OUCH! I hurt all over. Before I knew it, there were cars with lights on top and three men in matching brown uniforms around me. I recognized one of them as the man I ran from earlier. I heard them talking on these little rectangle devices, but they said no one was answering yet. The man in brown from that morning wrapped me in a blanket and put me in the back of his car. I stayed very quiet. He was so kind to me and I knew then he was trying to find me some help. We arrived at a new place where a man and woman took me and I quickly felt very sleepy.
Dr. Zimmer and his wife Susie cared for me in the coming days. They tell me I have a broken pelvis and I need two surgeries to fix it. I am stable, eating and drinking. I have even been up and taken some steps, though it is painful for me. All of the office staff are so kind and say how cute I am. I mean I already know this but I do like to hear it. It’s been days and we have not been able to find my owners.
I later learned that Deputy Hottell was the first man I saw in that brown uniform and he is the man who got me to Pokagon Veterinary Hospital. The other strange man was Joel Engle from the animal shelter. McCarty and Deputy Amos, were there helping me after I was hit by a semi and then a car.
I want to thank Pokagon Veterinary Hospital, Steuben County Sheriff’s Office and Community Humane Shelter of Steuben County for helping me get this far.
I am reaching out here on my new social media page to ask for your help in raising funds for my surgeries.