By Gregory E. Zschomler
For The Daily World
Christmas will be merry and bright for Sunshine, the dog who lost her hind legs as a pup in an act of cruelty. Over the past two weeks, many kind and generous Twin Harbor residents have come together to give Sunshine her prosthetic legs. As reported in a Daily World story Dec. 3, two fundraiser events, along with a GoFundMe campaign were put in place to raise the needed $2,500.
Sunshine, a resident of Gentle Paws Hospice and Sanctuary, only one of the needy animals under the care of Alice and Andy Fenske, was cast by local retired dentist, Dr. Leon Nixon, for her new legs this past week. The casts have been sent to Animal Orthocare and the prosthetics will arrive and be fitted soon.
“We have been so humbly overwhelmed with the generosity of the people here in the Harbor,” said Alice Fenske, noting that they have received overwhelming support from across the U.S. and as far away as Hawaii. Organizers of the efforts included the Fenskes; Bob Nelson of Westside Technologies, who spearheaded the idea; Wil Russoul of Stone Soup and Play it Forward; and Faith Esthesia Matthews and Melody Morris from Hometown Feed. Two benefit concerts, as well as portrait sittings with Santa for pets, were held at Hometown Feed.
As word spread, dozens of people came down to show their support. Nearly $10,000 has been raised, including almost $3,500 from the GoFundMe campaign. Though some gifts were quite large and others small, all were backed by loving generosity.
“There have been children who have brought in their allowance,” said Fenske, “and there have been very poor people saying, ‘This is all we have,’ and we told them, ‘No you keep your money,’ but they insisted on helping Sunshine.”
“We are totally numb. We have been walking around with this dazed look on our faces,” said Fenske, noting that the surplus funds will be used wisely for the many care necessities and special needs of the other aging and traumatized animals they tend. “We are so humbly satisfied knowing that we can pay it forward to Wil [Russoul’s Stone Soup], to other rescues, to other homeless people and their animals…”
Sunshine, the ‘face and poster child’ of Gentle Paws, “speaks for herself,” said Fenske. “She is an amazing dog and we are so grateful that we were honored enough to have her …” Ongoing support for Gentle Paws Hospice and Sanctuary is appreciated and can still be given through www.gofundme.com/sunshine-getting-her-feet.
