POLK COUNTY, Fla. - It was a terrifying day for Chermi McBurney. She said after an argument with her boyfriend last week he shot her dog in the face and then pointed the gun at her son.


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“If it wasn’t for my dog, I don’t know what I would say right now; he saved my child," she said.

McBurney said her son jumped behind the couch and Blue jumped with him, protecting the little boy until the mother could get everyone out of there.

“I rushed to get my keys, my son and Blue and got out of there, but it was late so a lot of places for Blue was closed. So I came to the Veterinary Healthcare Associates. They saved my dog's life.”

Blue has been treated at the facility for just under a week and doctors say his progress is a miracle.

“Since he’s been here he has not missed a meal,” laughed Dr. Megan Sawyer. “If he were a smaller dog or not as muscular, that bullet would have gone right through his spine but it got stuck there so we had to evaluate if he could swallow and breathe. We were worried about nerve damage.”

Blue had a successful surgery and is staying at the facility until McBurney can find a safe place to live. Her boyfriend was taken to jail that night but has since been released.

She started a GoFundMe page to help with the costs of the medical treatment.​


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