MONROE - For one Monroe family, it's a happy ending by way of a little ball of fur.
Meet Max, a 4-month-old Yorkshire terrier-shih tzu mix and the latest addition to the Jeff and Donna Buehler family. And yes, he's adorable.
The Buehlers' beloved dog Buddy, a bichon frise-shih tzu mix, was killed the morning of Aug. 17 when Donna and
20-year-old daughter Abby were walking him near their home. They had stopped on the sidewalk in the 2400 block of 7th Street when two large dogs, described as 90-pound pit bulls, got out of their yard and attacked the 18-pound Buddy. They grabbed Buddy and wouldn't let go, even as Donna pulled on the lease and desperately tried to free him from the attacking dogs.
Buddy was taken to the vet but his injuries were too great to save him.
It was devastating for the family, Donna said. They had Buddy since he was a puppy and the little dog was close to the entire family - especially Abby. Witnessing the attack was extremely traumatic.
"The next day, JoAnn Hawthorn showed up at our door," Donna said. Hawthorn, representing Green County Fall Nationals, gave Donna and Abby a card and told them when they were ready, the Fall Nationals would like to provide them with another dog.
"She said, "We want to be here for you guys,'" Donna said.
Donna said she was aware there was a tractor pull each September at the Green County Fairgrounds (this year's date is Sept. 26) but wasn't familiar with the group's mission to help people in need.
"That's what their organization does - they come in times of need, in times of stress," Donna said.
Initially, Donna wasn't thinking about getting another dog so soon after losing Buddy. But then she thought about how much the little dog had meant to Abby.
"Buddy was more than just a dog," she said. "He was a real companion."
Neighbors also have a Yorkie-shih tzu mix and after Jeff did some research into "shorkies," as the breed is called, the couple decided one would be good fit for their family. They located a place north of Green Bay that had a pup available.
"We trekked up there" and brought Max home Sept. 5.
Green County Fall Nationals picked up the tab, as well as the first year of veterinary costs.
The two dogs in the attack were euthanized by court order. It was the third time the two were involved in attacking other dogs.
Donna was relieved the dogs were put down. But she spoke without bitterness, saying the owners of the pit bulls were hurt as well.
"I felt bad in the courtroom. I knew the owners of the dogs were hurting. We felt bad for them, but honestly, that was the best outcome Jeff and I could have hoped for," she said.
She said her vet expressed it best: "It was a bad situation all the way around for everybody."
The community has shown tremendous support, Donna said, sharing kind words and thoughts for the family after the tragedy.
"We're still getting cards," Donna said. "People have been so supportive and kind. We're so grateful."
And she's grateful for the Fall Nationals for offering the gift of a new family member.
"I didn't think a dog would be what I needed" as the family grieved Buddy, she said. "But it is healing to put your heart into another animal.
"I look into Max's eyes, and I see Buddy's eyes."
Meet Max, a 4-month-old Yorkshire terrier-shih tzu mix and the latest addition to the Jeff and Donna Buehler family. And yes, he's adorable.
The Buehlers' beloved dog Buddy, a bichon frise-shih tzu mix, was killed the morning of Aug. 17 when Donna and
20-year-old daughter Abby were walking him near their home. They had stopped on the sidewalk in the 2400 block of 7th Street when two large dogs, described as 90-pound pit bulls, got out of their yard and attacked the 18-pound Buddy. They grabbed Buddy and wouldn't let go, even as Donna pulled on the lease and desperately tried to free him from the attacking dogs.
Buddy was taken to the vet but his injuries were too great to save him.
It was devastating for the family, Donna said. They had Buddy since he was a puppy and the little dog was close to the entire family - especially Abby. Witnessing the attack was extremely traumatic.
"The next day, JoAnn Hawthorn showed up at our door," Donna said. Hawthorn, representing Green County Fall Nationals, gave Donna and Abby a card and told them when they were ready, the Fall Nationals would like to provide them with another dog.
"She said, "We want to be here for you guys,'" Donna said.
Donna said she was aware there was a tractor pull each September at the Green County Fairgrounds (this year's date is Sept. 26) but wasn't familiar with the group's mission to help people in need.
"That's what their organization does - they come in times of need, in times of stress," Donna said.
Initially, Donna wasn't thinking about getting another dog so soon after losing Buddy. But then she thought about how much the little dog had meant to Abby.
"Buddy was more than just a dog," she said. "He was a real companion."
Neighbors also have a Yorkie-shih tzu mix and after Jeff did some research into "shorkies," as the breed is called, the couple decided one would be good fit for their family. They located a place north of Green Bay that had a pup available.
"We trekked up there" and brought Max home Sept. 5.
Green County Fall Nationals picked up the tab, as well as the first year of veterinary costs.
The two dogs in the attack were euthanized by court order. It was the third time the two were involved in attacking other dogs.
Donna was relieved the dogs were put down. But she spoke without bitterness, saying the owners of the pit bulls were hurt as well.
"I felt bad in the courtroom. I knew the owners of the dogs were hurting. We felt bad for them, but honestly, that was the best outcome Jeff and I could have hoped for," she said.
She said her vet expressed it best: "It was a bad situation all the way around for everybody."
The community has shown tremendous support, Donna said, sharing kind words and thoughts for the family after the tragedy.
"We're still getting cards," Donna said. "People have been so supportive and kind. We're so grateful."
And she's grateful for the Fall Nationals for offering the gift of a new family member.
"I didn't think a dog would be what I needed" as the family grieved Buddy, she said. "But it is healing to put your heart into another animal.
"I look into Max's eyes, and I see Buddy's eyes."