Photo: SWNS.com
Turns out the source of our original post had a few facts wrong. Su Smith (Dr. Smith's wife), writes on the Cumberland Valley Animal Hospital website, that Smokey's owner was actually feeding Smokey and their other, larger dog, scraps from the barbecue when the accident occurred. She mistakenly used the fork to shoo away her bigger dog so Smokey could get his share. That's when the fork came flying out of its handle and straight into the soft spot the puppy still had in his skull from when he was born.
The story of Smokey's miraculous survival has become huge -- as a matter of fact, when Paw Nation called the Smiths, they were walking into the "Inside Edition" studio. This is due largely to the fact that Dr. Smith agreed to x-ray, sedate, and operate on Smokey at his own expense if he was allowed to take the miraculous story public. He felt it was too good of a human interest story not to take to the local paper. Without this offer, Smokey's family would otherwise not been able to afford all that Smokey needed to survive and would have been forced to put the poor puppy down.
As the story grew, so did the anger of some animal lovers. "We've gotten, I don't know how many irate calls from people who can't understand why the fire department, police, and other help wasn't called out to help this dog," Dr. Smith told Paw Nation. "And they want to know how we could release Smokey back to the family -- how did we know it wasn't animal abuse? To understand that, there are a few things they need to know."
First, he said, you have to understand the context. "We're in Southeastern rural Kentucky. Calling in help simply wasn't an option for these people. The police, the fire station? They would've laughed at them. This family spent hours upon hours searching in the rain and mud for the tiny dog. When they couldn't find him, they assumed he'd died. Anybody would have done the same."
Second, he had a history with the man who brought Smokey in, Hughie Wagers (the owner's brother). "He's a good animal owner. The minute he saw that dog, he gave him a bit of food and water, wrapped him up, and rushed him here. Hughie hadn't had time to grab shoes or a shirt for himself; he was just concerned with getting the dog here quickly."
Smith went on to say that Wagers really hadn't expected much to be done to help Smokey. In fact, they feared having to euthanize him. "Most people in these parts, high ranking officials included, would've taken one look at that dog and shot him to put him out of his misery -- they wouldn't have dreamed of spending money to help him or put him down humanely."
Another argument naysayers have made is that the family (and Smith) are doing this just for the money. "If there's money to be made from this, I'd sure like to know how," laughed Smith. "I believe the family has been offered a very small sum for the fork by Ripley's Believe it or Not -- the rumor is $100. We hadn't received a penny until just now, when the "Today Show" flew us to New York and put us up, and then "Inside Edition" gave us $500 to go see a show or two while we're here." He told us that, since giving his TV interviews, officers have visited the residence -- they found no evidence of abuse or wrongdoing, and found no reason for further investigation.
Considering Smith had to close his clinic for three days to give interviews on the story, he's lost far more than he's making. He says he just wanted to support his local newspaper by giving them the story first, and is glad to have such a happy ending.
And a happy ending it is. Just two weeks after the incident, Smokey is healing wonderfully. His eye is still a bit slow and has to be medicated, but it's improving. Other than that, Smith says, "He sleeps a bit more than a puppy should, but it's only when we sleep that our brain can heal, so that doesn't really worry me. I think in a couple of months we can expect a full recovery."
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As far as the "Inside Edition" show giving us the 500.00 to see a show, We have not received that in any form. There was a lot of paperwork to fill out to get the moneys, and we really were just interested in seeing a show or something while we were there. However, They were not able to do that for us while we were in NYC. So even that offer is bust at this moment. I must stress, there has never been a request for money. In addition, we are not making one now, and please don't send money. Give it to the local Spay and neuter clinic on Smokey's behalf. Also, I, Dr. Smith just wanted to share this with the community. I am glad that the world picked it up, but it was never intended to be a stunt for moneys.
Good for you.
Good for you x 2. Coming from Somerset KY I totally understand every word you wrote about how Smoky would have been shot if the poice had seen him first, and no they would not have helped you find the dog. So I think you guys are great for all the grief you have had to take just to keep the dog alive. A special place in the after life awaits people who love dogs and cats.
PS. What is the nearest city you are close to, just curious since I am from Somerset. If you can't say, I understand you don't want people showing up at your door.
It's people like Dr Smith we give thanks to and the fact that he was there to help this puppy when he came in. A Big Thank you for taking care of our family members who need people like you out there!!
I think this is a wonderful story. I know there are alot of people out there that abuse their pets. I watch alot of programs on tv that do just that. But I believe this is a very heart felt story that was just a very unfortunate accident, so give the couple a break.
I think it is wonderful what you have done for that poor little puppy and his owner. I, myself, would not have had the funds to pay for surgery and I, too, would have thought for sure that he would be a goner with no chance of survival. Don't listen to anyone who is trying to cause problems with this story .... I think there should be more people out there like you. Thank you for saving Smokey.
thank you. Also, I received hate mail today. Can you believe that? I do have one thing to say about that as well....if you are man or woman enough to send me hate mail, then be man or woman enough to include your return address and phone number. For the poor woman in Denver that ripped me a new one, please be aware it is a federal crime to threaten my life. ALSO THE DOG IS ALIVE!
I am an animal lover and I know that I would have done everything that I could to take care of Smokey. I think that this is a wonderful thing this Vet has done for Smokey. It is obvious that he did not do it for the money but for his compassion for Smokey. I live in a rural area and I know what would have happened here. I have a lot of respect for the owner's brother taking Smokey to the vet instead of the alternative. I have seen in rural areas where vets have suggested euthanasia because the cost of a procedure like this and the typical response from people that can't afford the expense. I think the story needed to go public so the people that deserve praise, get it. This world needs more people like them.
I'm so glad this post cleared things up. It's hard to believe that people can be, and are, cruel to animals and I'm glad to learn that you're not one of them. www.satisfiedsole.com
To the dog owners:
Don't listen to all of the haters out there. You did everything that you could to help that dog. The article is right, most folks around these parts WOULD have just but a bullet in him. I am glad he is okay and I wish you all nothing but the best. Just remember that anytime a story hits the news there will always be SOMEONE who has something negative to say.
Next time feed him with your hand/
and don't shoo wih a object with enough force to impale a dog in the head. Come on people.
Someone needs to show me a video of how you shoo a dog from the one you are feeding that ends up with a bbq fork in its head. In other words they threw the fork and made up some story and felt bad and took it to the vet.
she was waving it in the air and the metal shaft came out of the wooden handle. this has happened to me before when my sister tried to take the BBQ fork and i swung it back, but mine ended up stuck in the ceiling instead of a dog.
Which part of the fork FLEW out of it's handle didn't you understand? SHEESH
First of all thanks to the vet..Second of all u people need to read the post. The bigger dog was getting the smaller dogs scraps..It doesn't say they were feeding with a fork..Plus they tried to shoo the dog away and the fork came out of the handle..Most barbie fork are 2 pronged and pretty sharp, and yes I have had them come out of the handle over time..Seems like a case of bad brake for the puppy and people from all the critics..I have swatted at a fly with a a fork, and many other thing..Let it go. I have 6 dogs and have owned dogs all my life. I know my vet because I have worked on his house many time. U would not beleive the things he has ran across dealing with animals..Things happen..Give the people a break..We all learn from mistakes, just be glad this one had a good ending...
Thank you to the vet who saved this precious baby. You remind me so much of our vet. Wish there were more vets out there like you.
As for the accident, as ggilbert said, let it go. Things happen. Just like accidents with children, strange accidents happen with animals.
This story had a happy ending due largely to the kind heartedness of a vet. Living where I do, I am well aware of the mentality of "a bullet is cheaper" and battle this on a daily basis. Be glad the vet was willing to help and that this little fellow can now live a long life.
Kuddos to the Vet who saved this puppy! There is a Veterinary in my town that charges outrageous amounts for care. Therefore, a lot of animals don't get any but the most basic care. If those Vets were true animal lovers, as they claim, they would taake less, and also have a payment plan for those that can least afford it!
Contrary to popular belief, this bizarre type of ACCIDENT does happen and with people as well. A happy ending is the key here.
I have 4 small dogs and 1 of them had a backwards fall from just 12" that resulted in a compressed spinal cord. "Ruby" recovered and very quickly resumed a normal life. I spent over $5,000.00 on CT scans and MRI as well as other tests and medications.
Too often, pets are thought of as "throw away" posessions and "put down" or just discarded for just about any reason whether it's an injury or just "no more room" at home or the patience to raise, train or look after the "family member".
How many "humans" are kept alive, saved, after a tragic accident or disease and to what cost to the family or even the TAXPAYER! Maybe some of the more seriously injured should be "put down" and save us all some money as well as prolonged pain and suffering to the individual as well as the surviving family.
Way to go! Saving a TRULY innocent life is what REAL human beings do. Praise him, don't threaten him and don't accuse without the real facts.
Bless you and the puppy. Strange it never occured to me of abuse. I don't see how anybody could make up a believable story like this. I know about trying to keep a larger animal away from another one's food. You must have panicked not realizing you had something in your hand. Shooing is a bad idea, it causes other actions in the dog. You have to figure another way of seperating them. Whatever you do never in anger. Bless the vet and the brother who took him. Pray that you can look past the evil people and not let them upset you. They are the ones with the problem.