Lucky Indy

Indy is lucky to have been adopted by a loving couple, but wasn't so lucky in the recent past.

We met her at the Paws and Claws Expo, an annual event organized by The Alternative Humane Society (AHS), featuring a "Strut Your Mutt" fun run/walk, contests and games, demonstrations, pet-supplies vendors, a silent auction, and people food.

This is her story as told on the AHS Facebook page:

Meet one of the most wonderful pups you will ever find! Meet Indy! Indy is a 3-4 month old female Cocker Spaniel and she is just full, full, full of puppy love - which is a miracle in itself with what she has gone through in her short little life. Indy was found right after the 4th of July with life threatening injuries...a firecracker had gone off in her mouth. Though she was in extreme pain, she was so sweet and loving...quite a testament to a wonderful temperament. Our fantastic vet (Maplewood) did surgery on her lip and tongue and she is now gaining weight and running and playing with the other dogs in her foster home. Little Indy is now ready for her own, forever home....but it has to be the absolutely perfect home for this perfect puppy!

Indy's surgery cost $4,000. There was a collection to help pay for it at the event today. A large Black Lab was taking paper money from donors' hands and depositing it in a basket.

I think it's ironic that the proud guy holding Indy is a firefighter. She's going to help him in his work -- educating the public about safe handling of fireworks.