She had no name, no home, and no chance. Her right ear had been ripped off. The skin was hanging off her face. She was alone walking down a street in Southern Florida, looking for a place to lie down.
Someone found her, near death, and brought her to Miami’s busy city shelter, where she needed a miracle to keep her from joining us angels.
Her miracle arrived with the name Victoria Fraizer who saw the poor pup’s picture on Facebook and fearing she would euthanized contacted them. She named the baby Abigail and brought her to Pets First Wellness Center where her veterinarian, Thomas Jackson, determined that Abigail had been involved in dogfighting.
The wrap covering Abigail’s wounds resembled a bonnet, so Victoria bought several headbands for her. The headbands were placed over the bandages. Abigail, knowing her life depended on it, happily posed for pictures, which were uploaded by Victoria and a viral sensation was born.
When Abigail was ready to leave the hospital, Victoria brought her home and sought the perfect parents for her. She found them, Megan Steinke and her husband Jason who had already rescued another pittie, Tala. Abigail’s life of pain, torture, and fear were over. She was finally home.
The Steinke’s continued Abigail’s prominent online presence. She has her own Facebook Page (WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES) and Instagram page which has been used to increase awareness in pitbull rescues, overall adoptions, and second-chance dogs. Right now Abigail and Tara are raising money for the children affected by the hurricanes, just one of their many causes.
Victoria stayed part of Abigail’s life, and she entered Abigail in the hero dog contest. Each candidate raised money for a charity. Abigail’s charity is Dogs on Deployment an organization that finds homes for dogs whose parents have been deployed overseas.
On September 16, in a ceremony that will be broadcast on the Hallmark Ceremony on October 26, Abigail was named dog hero of the year. There were many celebrities at the gala but, besides Abigail, the real people to be celebrated were on stage too, Victoria, Dr. Jackson, and the Steinkes.
Abigail went from unloved, abused, homeless dog, to celebrity, hero, and champion of underprivileged dogs.
Everyone can learn lessons from Abigail. Mine is that no matter how low you get never give up. Like Abigail, your miracle might be right around the corner.
