Doug Atkinson and Tim McFee are just glad their dog Bunker is home and on the road to recovery. But the East Ladner residents wonder what if the driver who struck their 14-year-old Boston terrier the night of July 28 on Ladner Trunk Road near the Otter Co-op gas station had stopped and offered assistance.
Instead, a by-stander who saw the accident, rescued the dog, taking him back to their Holly Park Drive home, where the nearly two-week ordeal began.
Bunker was out for a walk-a-bout and somehow made his way out of their neighbourhood when he was struck in the hit-and-run accident.
"I accept it as an accident. I can't accept the driver's behaviour, but I can move forward and get Bunker up and running after balls soon," said Atkinson. "I think there is little the police can do. As it was hit-and-run and no one got information about the car or driver, there is nothing really we can do."
Atkinson started a gofundmepage as a way to help pay for some of the mounting vet bills. Their goal was $6,500. As of Tuesday night the total was at $2,850.
"Every little bit has helped, but so far to date we have spent over $9,000," he said. "Plus we have to go back to the vet for another surgery to remove the pins in his legs. The procedure and time will cost an additional $2,000. So all in we will be north of $11,000 for the accident. The small amount raised has been helpful and I am grateful to the people that have come forward."
Due to dehydration and additional blood work, Bunker's surgery didn't take place until last Wednesday.
Atkinson said the surgery went well, but the recovery and trying to keep Bunker as comfortable as possible at home has been challenging.
"There was a time the first night that I tried to help him and he landed on himself and was crying out and I immediately tried to adjust him and that was just as bad, and he lashed out. It scared me and made me feel hopeless at the same time," Atkinson said. "People have asked me why did we not have pet insurance.
Most pet insurance runs out at age seven. Did we think it would be this much money?"
Donations can be made at: https://www.gofundme.com/helpfund-bunkers-leg-surgery.
