OLATHE, Kan. — The two-year-old German Shepherd who witnesses say was thrown off a bridge in downtown Kansas City in February is now making a full recovery. Doctors say it’s a miracle Lindey survived the almost 40 foot fall. But what was even a bigger miracle came next.
“It was almost overwhelming. It made us cry just for sheer joy,” said Cindy Campbell, the president of the Missouri German Shepherd Rescue group better known as MOGS.
That sheer joy was for the outpouring of support Lindey received from people in Kansas City and across the country. Thousands of people shared Lindey’s story and helped donate money to cover the expenses for her several costly surgeries.
“She’s certainly come a long ways from when I saw her the first time,” said Steve Riley, the veterinary orthopedic surgeon who did most of Lindey’s surgeries. “When we see them initially in splints and barely able to coordinate getting from one side of the room to the other to now being able tootle in the yard it’s really rewarding to see them come that far and do that well.”
On Sunday, it became official. Lindey found a new home. With a couple signatures on the adoption papers Nick and Ann McNeil and their two daughters were the proud owners of the brave German Shepherd.
“I just cried,” said Ann McNeil as she tried to fight back the tears. “We feel really lucky to have her.”
The McNeil family fell in love with Lindey just like so many other did after hearing her heart-wrenching story. But they never thought they would be lucky enough to adopt her.
“It was meant to be,” said Ann. “That’s all I can keep saying. It was just so smooth and nothing was forced. We love her and we can’t imagine life workout her now.”
The McNeils have another dog too, Roxy. And they’re becoming best friends.
“She just felt right at home and was literally a part of the family from about day three on,” said Nick McNeil.
Nick now has the pleasure of living with a total of five women, if you count the two girl dogs.
“It’s something else,” he joked.
Lindey’s story has a happy ending. But for other dogs not as fortunate as Lindey, MOGS is still looking to give other German Shepherds homes.
“We really hope that this will be the start of less tolerance for cruelty,” said Campbell. “Just speaking out and speaking up.”
For ways to get involved in the organization, you can visit their website by clicking here.
