Sorry for being a bit slow on an update, things have been busy on the farm and a lot has been happening.

As of about a week ago we were still below what was needed for Bruno's surgery and my new friend Jamie that works with rescues as waiting for a call back from UC Davis.  If I recall correctly, we had raised about $4,500 between two GoFundMe accounts and about $2,000 of that had been spent already for vet bills and food, etc.

On Wednesday 7/1 I mentioned the situation to another parent in my son's Boy Scout troop who works as an editor at a newspaper group.  I shared photos and she was obviously very moved.  Jamie, Dottie (the foster caregiver), and I were contacted by a reporter and an article was published online about 11am on Tuesday of this week, 7/7.  It was first published in the Contra Costa Times and then in a sister paper, the San Jose Mercury News.  In the past 48 hours, donations have flooded in.  Apparently GoFundMe automatically raises fundraiser goals when the goal gets met so things have gone quite differently than expected.  As of now, about 48 hours later, about $18,000 in additional donations have come in with the fundraiser goal being increased from $6,000 to $15,000 and then to $25,000, but Jamie got it changed back to $15,000.  So the total raised is amazing at over $22,000.  Jamie was alarmed with all of this and wasn't sure what to do but did ask for input at GoFundMe and people who commented supported the idea of helping other dogs with any excess funds.

Jamie rescued another dog earlier this week which had been left tied up at a shelter and apparently paralyzed hind legs so excess funds will go towards this dog and also others as she is constantly helping out animals.  I'm friends with Jamie on Facebook (as well as Dottie, Bruno's caregiver) and see photos of Bruno frequently as well as the other animals Jamie is working with.

Jamie did break away from Kritter Kamp Rescue for reasons I don't wish to discuss publicly but the funds raised in the original GoFundMe account are still under her control and being used for Bruno.  Jamie has submitted an application with IRS for her own rescue.  Another rescue organization another friend of hers has worked with also had some recent departures; seems to have a lot of drama involved with all of this but everyone is still taking care of the animals they rescue.

This morning I received a call from another reporter with the same news group as they wish to do a follow-up article.  I had already called my editor friend last night to ask them to do a change to let people know that the goal had already been surpassed, etc. and a slight revision was made but it had loose ends to the story.

Bruno went to the vet today to get his bandages changed (he keeps removing them and Jamie put son new ones but she wanted the vet to take a look and do it this time).  Bruno got a new bed today and he jumped on it immediately.  Bruno is going in to UC Davis for pre-op and then again to stay on 7/15 for surgery on 7/16.  I'll be traveling during that time but will post another update when I can.  I plan to go visit Bruno after he is recovered.

Thanks again to everybody who helped!

Harvey thats amazing that they were able to raise that amount. Very happy to hear it and Bruno will for sure be well taken care of. Any word if charges have been brought against the original owners yet? I read one of the updates where they changed their story a bunch of times.

There definitely has not been any legal action.  I think there are several problems with doing so.  Where was a crime committed?  Bruno lived two counties away from where I found him.  Oakland Police or Sacramento County Sheriff Department would need to decide who should investigate.  Despite being rather obvious that the owners were bad people and lied when confronted about Bruno (changing their story), there is no firm evidence that they personally abused him and abandoned him here.  With the recent article there might be a chance that some of the owners' neighbors might see the articles since the papers cover Oakland.  Perhaps some neighbor will step forward if they've witnessed something.

Bruno was checked into the vet hospital at UC Davis on Wednesday (7/15) and had his surgery yesterday and was just brought home.  He did well and will have physical therapy once he is healed up.

After a newspaper article was published donations really poured in and the rescue volunteer Jamie is helping other animals with excess funds (will help many more once all expenses for Bruno have been paid).

Thanks to everybody who helped out with this cause financially and otherwise.
   

       That's great Harvey!   Thanks for the update

Soni and Greg, two trees need to go home also.  I plan to ship your raffle prize trees on Monday. :)

2 YEAR UPDATE

Yesterday I saw this nice 2 year update from Bruno's adoptive human friend, Dottie.  I had to get clarification from Dottie as to who or what Ivory was; it's her young granddaughter.  This is a great recovery for Bruno.  There were problems initially beyond medical such as snapping at other pets and people but he seems to have gotten over those now that he's in a secure environment.  I'm glad to have been a small part of his rescue.  Thanks again for all of those who helped with his medical care.

Wow! I never saw this thread. What an awesome thing you did for this dog! It's very heartwarming. Even though there may not have been any legal action be sure there was some kind of spiritual action going on and the past owners won't get off scott free. It will come back at them one way or another.