Polly, the dog rescued from Mexico, not only captured the hearts of Nelson residents but inspired a local artist to create greeting cards depicting the chihuahua to support the SPCA.
Vicky Issott produced an acrylic painting to turn into cards after she had heard the dog had been found safe, but injured last week.
“Fingers crossed we can raise some money for the animals,” said Issott, who is hoping to have the cards back from the printer and available for sale early next week.
Issott, a member of the Nelson SPCA community council who has been involved in similar animal fundraisers over the years, said the Polly saga is one that she had to jump on board for.
“To save the life of an animal won’t change the world, but surely the world will change for that one animal. It certainly did for Polly. How fitting,” wrote Issott in a Facebook message, tweaking a famous quote from British canine behaviourist Karen Davison.
Polly was “days away from certain death” when Nelson resident Denise Maglio rescued the dog from a pound in Tijuana, Mexico, in late January.
Polly was flown from San Diego to B.C. , arriving in Nelson on January 29. The following day Polly slipped out of its collar while being walked near Hume School.
Eight days later two Nelson Hydro workers found Polly near the airport and managed to coax her back into their truck.
When found, Polly was missing a toe and had a cut on its left rear paw. The dog, now staying at an SPCA foster home in Fairview, was scheduled for surgery on Tuesday.
When completely healthy, Polly will be moved to a permanent home in the Nelson area.
Issott said the cards, which will sell for $5 each or three for $12 will be available through the Nelson SPCA and through her Facebook page, which is called vizzyart. Issott also hopes to raise additional money by selling the original prototype of the card separately.
