Heartbreaking Story Turns Hopeful After TikTokers Help Fund the Rescue and Medical Treatment of an Abandoned Mama Pit Bull Set to Be Put Down

TikToker Mackenzie Engram was on her way to vacation in Florida with her friends when they had a side quest thrust at them. On the drive there the found a mama pit bull and her puppy abandoned on the side of the road. When they pulled over, the two were instantly so excited to see them and were the sweetest babies. They couldn't take the pups with them on vacation so they called up the nearest animal control. They took them in and told them they would have a vet look at them and then hold them for 7 days to see if anyone would claim them. Engram told the animal control that she was coming back for them after the 7 day hold was up. 

However, the day before she was scheduled to come in and adopt the mama, she was given tragic news. 

Engram was told that the mama pittie was both heart-worm and kennel cough positive, and that she was showing aggression towards the other animals. At first Engram thought it would be best to not adopt the mama then, because she has three other pets at home. But then the shelter told her that if she didn't adopt the mama, that she would most likely get put down… 

So Engram made the risky decision to foster the mama anyhow! They were able to find a forever home for the puppy, so that took one hungry belly off of her plate, but she wasn't sure how she was going to be able to fund taking care of another dog, plus all the medical treatment she was going to need. 

“My girls and I were on our way to Florida when we found this mama and her baby on the side of the road. They were starving and extremely dehydrated. Since we were going on vacation we couldn't take them with us. So we called the nearest animal control and took them there. We new immediately that we were coming back for them. They were so sweet! We were told that they would be transported to a vet to get looked at and be held for 7 days (in case someone claimed them). When it was time to let them go I was not okay. I called to check in a lot throughout the week. I was told the day before adoptions, mama is heart-worm positive and showed aggression towards other animals—I have three others at home. So I made the tough decision to not adopt her because I didn't want to risk the safety of my other animals nor can I afford the treatment right now. They then told me that since she's an ‘aggressive’ heart-worm positive pit, if I don't adopt her she will most likely be put down. I had less than 24-hours to decide what I wanted to do. We were able to find the little man [puppy] a forever home… I took the risk  and decided to foster mama. Once she got adjusted she slept a lot. [We] went on walks, cuddled, and her personality started peeking through. The introduction to my other animals was a process. But we still got it and everyone is doing so good! (Still working on my cat.) Huge shoutout to auntie Erika! But Miss Lucy [the mama pit bull ] is sick, really sick. We got medicine and lots of rest, but the heart-worm is slowly taking over and having kennel cough doesn't help. She had her first ‘belly-up’ moment yesterday and I lost it—for her to be so trusting after god knows what she went through melts my heart. I'm stressed and overwhelmed, but she deserves a chance at life, so I'm going to give her just that. She's such a good girl and we love her very much! But with the condition she's in and my inability to fund the treatment right now, we have to wait… So if anyone has any advice on heart-worm or even just fostering, please let me know! ”

The plea met millions of viewer's ears and flooded the comments section telling her they want to help! She was encouraged to start a GoFundMe page to help raise funds for the rescue of this sweet pittie, so she, but made sure not to get her hopes up too much. But these TikTokers pulled through more than she could have ever imagined! 

She set the GoFundMe goal to $4k, but completely exceeded that, reaching almost 20k within just a few days. Once they reached $6k she told her viewers that they were going to shut down the GoFundMe because she has more than enough for the treatment, but viewers weren't having it. They flooded the comments section saying she should keep it open incase something goes amiss with the dog's treatment, who she has named Miss Lucy, and that if there is still money left over after a year of Miss Lucy getting healthy, so donate the rest of the money to dog shelters in need. 

Now, Miss Lucy and her rescuer are filled with hope and optimism. Engram fully intends on giving this dog who has been through so much the best life she can have. So far, she's gaining much needed weight and then is scheduled to start aggressive treatment for her heart-worm and kennel cough. She has already proven to get a long well enough with most of her other pets and Engram also intends to get her training. Miss Lucy was seen as the good girl she was through TikTok and this rescuer, even if the animal control shelter couldn't see it. Now she is on the path to a beautiful doggy life.