In 2016, Miami-Dade Animal Services took in a pit bull that was in very bad shape.
The poor pit bull had been used as a bait dog in a dogfighting ring. The right side of her face was badly wounded. Her right ear was also shredded, and to save her life, doctors had to amputate it.
Victoria and Brock Frazier, the founders of Love Is Fur-Ever Rescue, heard about the pit bull’s story. They immediately knew they wanted to foster her.
They went and visited the pit bull before the first of her many surgeries. They showered the sweet dog with love and gave her a name: Abigail.
Abigail went into surgery, and the doctor amputated her ear. Afterward, Victoria noticed that Abigail’s bandages looked a bit like a bow.
On Facebook, ‘Abigail’ explained what happened next:
“My foster mama said that they should start putting headbands over my head bandages to make them look cuter and from that moment the ‘Bonnets for Abigail’ movement began.”
Victoria gave Abigail lots of headbands to wear, and she loved all of them!
Victoria started a Facebook page where she talked about Abigail’s journey healing both physically and emotionally. At first, Abigail was very scared of people, and she would cower when anyone approached her. But after Victoria and Brock showed her lots of love and care, she began opening up.
Everyone was moved by Abigail’s story. Soon, people from all around the world began sending the pup headbands. In no time at all, she had amassed quite a collection!
After Abigail had been with Victoria and Brock for eight months, they knew she was ready for her forever home.
The couple received hundreds of applications for Abigail, and they went through them all carefully. Finally, they found the perfect new parents for Abigail: a young couple who had another pit bull named Tala. Victoria and Brock held a going away party for Abigail, and soon, she was off in her new home.
Abigail loves everything about her new home. She loves her parents, Jason and Megan Steinke. She and her new sister Tala also quickly became best buddies.
“I think Tala knows my life wasn’t always ideal,” Abigail says. “She likes to protect me by cuddling me, laying her head on me and putting her paws over mine.”
In September 2017, Tala and Abigail went to therapy dog school, and they both passed with flying colors. Now, the two dogs visit veterans, first responders, elderly people, and more.
In that same month, Abigail was crowned the American Humane Hero Dog of the Year for her bravery and dedication to helping others. She flew to New York and appeared on a variety of talk shows and news programs.
Abigail still wears a headband almost every day. Even though her wounds healed long ago, the headbands are symbolic. They show how far Abigail has come since her early days as a bait dog.
Abigail is a brave pup who has found a wonderful home with parents and a sister who love her more than anything. If you’d like to learn more about Abigail and her family, check out her Facebook page.
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