Baby is not only a border collie, but she is Dennis Johnson's service animal. Johnson suffered a work-related injury and needs Baby to get around.
On Oct. 16, Baby alerted Johnson that wild dogs were in the area. She got between them and Johnson and he believes she saved his life.
"I would have been torn up, they were growling and they were headed towards me," Johnson said.
Instead, Baby suffered the injuries.
"They were all on top of her, biting and scratching at her. She has puncture wounds and bite marks all over her body," Johnson said.
Baby needs constant medical attention because of her injuries. She also may require surgery if her infection persists. Surgery that could cost Johnson nearly $8,000 - money he simply does not have.
"Every single penny is going to her vet bill - she's my daughter, my companion, she's more than just an animal, she's everything to me," Johnson said.
Besides healing Baby, Johnson hopes people will stop using his neighborhood as a dumping ground for unwanted animals. He and his neighbors now carry guns to protect themselves if they come across wild packs.
Johnson, who is an artist, is hoping that art sales along with donations will help Baby get the medical attention she needs.
"She helped heal me now I want to do the same for her," Johnson said. "I want to heal her."
"She helped heal me now I want to do the same for her," Johnson said. "I want to heal her."
(CBS5 - Oct 24, 2012)
