Reported by: Jorge Estevez
MIAMI (CBS4)
You too can have an adorable face such as this one, but this breed of dog requires extra special care.
If you felt a scratch at the leg or heard a friendly bark, you should enjoy it because Thursday was “National Dog Day.”
It is a day to recognize man’s best friend. What better way to do that than to highlight a group started right here in South Florida dedicated to saving the lives of dogs in danger?
What began as a playgroup for bulldogs and their owners turned into a rescue group called Buddies Thru Bullies. A Bully is the endearing nickname used to refer to the English bulldog.
“We started to get together to do activities with their dogs and to have fun,” said Carol Ackroyd, one of the founding members of the organization back in 1995. The group got together to play with their dogs, but soon they found themselves becoming their ally.
Not everyone knows the responsibility behind taking care of such a delicate breed. So far, Buddies Thru Bullies has taken in 50 dogs this year many of them abandoned.
“There is lot more care and maintenance that they need and potential vet bills that they did not anticipate,” said Ackroyd to CBS4′s Jorge Estevez.
So through donations to their non-profit and with help from veterinarians like Dr. Juan Sardinas from Miami Veterinary Specialists in South Miami, these dogs are nursed back to health and given a new home.
“They need a special family that recognizes their problems and can afford to treat them. They are what I call a high maintenance breed,” said Dr. Juan Sardinas.
Miriam Serrate was ready for the challenge.
“They require care and they give so much love,” said Serrate who gladly adopted Collins from Buddies Thru Bullies. “My husband keeps saying he is going to buy me a big farm in the Redland so I can have them all.”
For more information contact:
Miami Veterinary Specialists
Dr. Alison Flynn-Lurie
8601 Sunset Drive
Miami, FL 33143
Tel: (305) 665-2820
