Kimberley Hussey watched her beloved pup Maggie run in front of a car earlier this month when the pair were crossing the road to go for a swim in Lake Wānaka.
Maggie’s injuries from the incident were so serious that she required expensive veterinarian care, or failing that euthanasia.
"All I could think in my head was, ‘I can’t afford this, I’m going to have to put my dog down’," Ms Hussey said.
"I’m mind-blown with the support from the community. I didn’t think I was worthy of people’s help."
Ms Hussey said Maggie, a 1-year-old, misunderstood her commands and ran in front of an oncoming car.
"She also did damage to the car, but there was blood coming from her mouth and I was just in utter shock — it was crazy."
Ms Hussey took Maggie to a local vet where she was quoted $6000 and was told the leg did not need to be amputated.
Working three jobs, she was faced with the decision of either going into debt or having Maggie euthanised.
Ms Hussey, who has lived in Hawea since 2022, reluctantly sought financial help, setting up a Givealittle page.
"There are people on Givealittle who have life-threatening illnesses and serious struggles. I didn’t think anyone would want to help me and my dog.
"A family friend who is like a father to me said there is no harm in trying, ‘just give it a go’.
"When I woke up the next morning I saw we had already got $2400. It gave me a bit of faith and a bit of hope," she said.
Looking for cheaper options and a second opinion, Ms Hussey took Maggie to a vet in Balclutha where they give medical attention to working dogs.
"The vet there took the time to show me what they could do for Maggie and the extent of her injuries, and told me the operation would cost $1480.
"When they opened the knee, they said it was just destroyed — it was like it had been hit by a sledgehammer," she said.
Ms Hussey met Maggie when the pup was only 6 months old and she started climbing over the fence to Ms Hussey’s property.
"She kept escaping and coming over to my house. I said to the owners ‘I love this dog and if you want to rehome her, please consider me’. They eventually rang me and said ‘we can’t handle Maggie’."
Ms Hussey — who works as a barista and as a carer for a man with severe brain injuries, while owning a tea house — describes Maggie as an angel.
"I like to think the angels didn’t need her and knew I needed her more. She’s the reason I get out of bed some days.
Ms Hussey’s Givealittle goal of $6500 was met in seven days.
"As the days went on the numbers went up and I just got so much love and support — some from people I didn’t even know," she said.
In a Facebook post Ms Hussey said although she has one fewer legs, her love and vigour for life has only expanded.
"I don’t have the words to encapsulate how thankful I am that she is still with me," she said.
Excess money left over from the surgery has been put towards hydrotherapy and other rehabilitation services for Maggie.
