A lady who went through a traumatic incident resulting in the loss of an eye due to a gunshot wound is finding solace in an adorable puppy who, coincidentally, also has one eye.
As per Maria Williamson from Mobile, Alabama, she shared with ABC News today, “Bear lost his eye after being bitten by a larger dog, so we pretty much have a similar story. Bear serves as a reminder to me that anyone can go through terrible experiences.”
She further mentioned, “We have a good connection. He enjoys playing.”
Maria, 26, recounted that she was shot in the face during an attempted robbery while waiting at a red light on June 28.
The tragic event caused her to lose her right eye.
Seven young individuals involved in a gang have been apprehended and are currently facing charges of attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, and attempted carjacking, as stated by Williamson. “They declared their intention to rob me before notifying the authorities,” she added.
Expressing her anguish, she continued, “I felt devastated. The fear of the unknown overwhelmed me, and I kept wondering, ‘Will I be able to see properly from a distance?’ and ‘I’ll never be able to enjoy 3-D movies again.'”
Williamson’s boyfriend came across a photograph of a puppy that had lost an eye after being attacked by another dog. Two months after the incident, he reached out to a local animal shelter.
In a letter addressed to the Animal Rescue Fund in Mobile, Alabama, he shared that his fiancée had become a victim of mindless violence perpetrated by teenagers. “They approached her while she was in her car and callously shot her without any provocation or warning. Personally, I believe that taking care of Bear will contribute to both Bear’s and her own recovery from their horrendous assaults.”
Williamson and Bear, an eight-week-old mixed-breed puppy, crossed paths when Allison Rellinger, the vice president of the shelter, mentioned that she and her team were deeply touched by the message.
She shared, “Maria’s partner truly noticed our post.” She exclaimed, “Oh my Goodness, there’s a one-eyed dog,” and instantly fell in love as he introduced her to Williamson.
According to Rellinger, Bear had suffered a complete displacement of the eye from its socket due to being picked up, shaken, and subjected to other actions by a larger dog. “She will undoubtedly be able to empathize with the puppy’s situation. In our opinion, there is nothing better for a wounded puppy.”
Williamson expressed that adopting Bear and enduring the experience of being a crime victim has made her more appreciative of life’s value.
She said, “I felt incredibly grateful to be alive.” “Look at how close I came to losing my life. I didn’t sink into depression, and I still haven’t. I’ve actually been in a state of joy. My entire outlook on life has changed. Nothing can bring me down.”
Continuing her message, Williamson added, “To other victims, don’t let this shatter you. If you allow it to negatively impact your way of life, your attacker will ultimately succeed. You will be triumphant if you emerge from it grateful for the second chance at life and maintain a positive mindset.”
Rewritten Source: https://www.androdass.com/2023/02/woman-who-lost-eye-in-shooting-adopts.html