Bri Burnett was heading home after a long day when a friend’s text changed her plans. The photo showed a stray dog with a muzzle full of porcupine quills. She never went home.
A Text and a Detour
Burnett, who lives in Sweetwater, Texas, received the picture of the dog, who had been spotted near Lake Trammell. “I left that afternoon from work and went straight out to Lake Trammell, and there she was,” she told KTAB-TV, according to The Epoch Times. She later said it seemed like the right thing to do, and that it was a no-brainer.
A Muzzle Full of Quills
The dog, later named JoJo, was hungry and frightened, and her face was covered in quills. Burnett told The Western Journal’s Liftable that her entire mouth and head was full of quills, and that the swelling stopped her from swallowing. The quills prevented her from eating or drinking.
JoJo was scared, but Burnett gradually earned her trust and got her into the car and to a vet.
Paying the Bill Herself
At the clinic, JoJo was put under anesthesia so the quills could be removed. “It took him over 45 minutes to remove all the quills,” Burnett said. The vet kept JoJo overnight, and Burnett picked her up the next afternoon. According to KTAB-TV, Burnett paid the veterinary bill herself.
She tried to find JoJo’s owner without success, so she posted about the dog on Facebook looking for a home.
A Home Found on Facebook
A woman named Haylee Stewart saw the post. She had wanted a dog for some time and, after thinking and praying about it, arranged to meet JoJo. The dog greeted her warmly, as if they were old friends. “This dog will be my dog!” Stewart recalled thinking. In May 2019, JoJo went home with her, and Stewart later shared photos of lakeside outings and of JoJo showing more personality every week.
What to Do if a Dog Meets a Porcupine
Porcupine encounters happen in parts of Texas and across North America, and veterinarians advise against pulling quills at home. Quills are barbed and can break off or work deeper under the skin. Take the dog to a vet promptly, keep it calm, and prevent it from pawing at its face. Vets typically sedate dogs to remove the quills safely.
Pet Emergencies: What to Prepare For
JoJo’s rescue highlights how quickly an emergency can become expensive:
- Pet insurance. Compare pet insurance plans that cover accidents and emergency treatment, and enroll before a problem arises.
- Emergency fund. A pet emergency fund or veterinary payment plan can ease large bills.
- Microchipping. A pet microchip with up-to-date contact details helps lost dogs get home.
- Leashes and fencing. A sturdy leash, harness and secure fencing reduce wildlife encounters.
- Support rescues. A donation to a local animal rescue helps stray animals get treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who rescued JoJo? Bri Burnett of Sweetwater, Texas.
What was wrong with JoJo? Her mouth and head were full of porcupine quills, and the swelling stopped her from swallowing.
Who paid for her treatment? Burnett paid the vet bill herself, according to KTAB-TV.
Who adopted JoJo? Haylee Stewart, who saw Burnett’s post on Facebook.
Sources: The Western Journal, GodTube, The Epoch Times, and KTAB, all covering the 2019 rescue of JoJo, a stray dog found with porcupine quills near Lake Trammell in Sweetwater, Texas, and her adoption.
Leave a Reply