A dog's near death experience is bringing a Buna community closer.
The stray basset hound, called Valley by those who saved it, was found injured with broken bones Monday night on the side of Highway 62 in Buna.
Now the stray has turned from man's best friend to a group of student's best friend as they work to pay to keep the dog alive.
Drivers pass through the town, getting their cars washed by the teens, all to save Valley the stray hound.
"I'm just hoping for a miracle," said Kortnie Thomas who decided to start a car wash after seeing the pup injured.
A miracle to pay for the dog's more than $1,600 dollar medical bills after a Lieutenant with the Jasper County Sheriff's Office watched her get hit by a car. It broke two of her legs and her pelvis.
R.A.S. Pit Bull Rescue Director Angie Thomas hasn't left the dog's side since.
"I know she's hurting, and to see her laying there not knowing if I could have her, it really bothered me a lot," said Thomas.
Seeing the community rally to stop that hurt, hit home for those in Buna.
"That's good for students to take pride in what they do number one, and number two to have empathy," said Martha Burroughs who stopped to get her car washed.
Valley will need a plate in her back leg and a pins in her front leg.
Watching the teens fight to fix it even got the Jasper County Sheriff's Office to dip their hands in the water.
"It's a dog. That's all she is, but there's so much community involvement in this. So many people have made it possible for her to have a second chance in life, and that's touching," said Thomas.
From the vet's office, to the car wash, that second chance is on everyone's mind.
"Every dog should have a chance. Even if it's in the worst situation," said Kortnie Thomas.
Giving a stronger meaning to man's best friend.
Valley doesn't yet have a home, but she will get her surgery Thursday morning.
Whatever the teens don't raise, Paws of East Texas says it will pay the rest.
Our friends at the Buna Beacon are helping the cause, and if you want more information,
click here to be directed to their website and
here to see the Facebook page on Valley.
