Video Story
Watch VideoLittle girl raises money to rescue dog
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: NBC
Making a difference in this world can come in all shapes and sizes, like the difference Katherine Hawkins has made in Rocky's life. Katherine is only eight and very shy. The moment she saw Rocky's picture on the Internet, it was love at first sight. "She looked at the dogs on there, she saw Rocky and that was it," said her mother, Suzanne Hawkins. "She had to have him. She fell in love."
Rocky needed surgery. He'd been hit by a car and his broken leg was never treated by his previous owners. So to prove her love, Katherine raised the money, first with her allowance, then by selling cookies. "You cannot resist a little 8-year-old girl holding this envelope saying would you please give money to help this dog that's been run over," said Suzanne.
She got over $1,000, about half what the surgery cost. It was enough for the rescue group Adopt-A-Golden to see that Katherine would make a fine owner. "She had done so much research into the golden retriever breed," said Kate Jackson of Adopt-A-Golden. "It was her idea to start raising money to take care of his operation, so when it came time for Adopt A Golden to look for someone to help with the recovery, we couldn't think of a better person."
Rocky had a home. A few days later he got the surgery and a new name, Tanner, because, Rocky just didn't seem to fit. "He wasn't a Rocky, because he was so sweet," said Katherine.
Now there's post surgery therapy, and Tanner takes to it like a dog in water. Who doesn't soak up a little TLC?
