Ailing dog gets surgery, thanks to Fox 5 viewer

Ailing dog gets surgery, thanks to Fox 5 viewer

It's only been four days, but the mood is very different in Ruth DeJesus's Staten Island apartment.

On Monday we covered the story of Squffy, an 8-year-old black Labrador retriever, who lay dying of a uterus infection. She needed a costly surgery right away, but the family just couldn't afford it.

Not only is Squffy a beloved member of the DeJesus family, but she acts as a seeing eye dog for her mom, who started going blind 8 years ago.

Catherine is a Fox 5 viewer and fairy godmother of sorts. She saw our report and offered to pay for the nearly $3,600 surgery.

But Catherine wasn't the only person willing to open her heart and her wallet. 

Our newsroom received dozens of calls from viewers offering to pay. 

Also, doctors at the south shore animal hospital discounted the surgery by 50 percent.

Dejesus said Squffy was able to get to the O.R. Just in time. She said she is not surprised at the response, calling it a "New York thing."

Squffy is resting comfortably and should be back to herself in 10 days. As for Catherine, DeJesus hopes they can be lifelong friends.