A disabled woman in Largo is looking for help to keep her best friend.
The 89 year old says she can no longer walk her dog, and hopes someone might volunteer to spend some time every day with ‘Gary.’
Mary Lou Smith says her 3-year-old Dachshund Gary keeps her company, and keeps her laughing.
“Look, he’s making a bed,” she said pointing at the dog as he buried himself in a blanket.
Smith adopted Gary from a shelter several years ago to live with her in her Largo assisted living facility.
"Something about Gary, I just bonded with him," she said.
Mary Lou said Gary doesn't ask for much, except maybe a treat. What he gives in return is companionship. She said Gary even tried to comfort her recently when she fell and injured her hips and legs.
"I fell, and each time I fell he came up to me and he'd cry, sit there and cry. He didn't know what to do,” she said.
Now it's Gary's twice-daily walks that Mary Lou can't give him. Her injuries caused her to become reliant on this walker – and in need of a dog walker.
A widow on a fixed income, Mary Lou said she can't keep paying someone to take Gary outside. She said pet-walkers are expensive – and that’s money she just doesn’t have.
"If I can't pay, then I can't take care of him,” she said with tears in her eyes.
If Gary becomes a health concern for himself or others, Mary Lou said he'll have to leave the facility.
So, she's hoping someone will volunteer to be her dog walker. Mary Lou said she’d like someone who is experienced in dog walking, and someone who will be gentle and caring to her furry friend.
Mary Lou said even though she won't be able to pay, Gary is always ready to offer up a kiss and his toy ball.
"Gary is the best dog in the whole wide world," she said. She’d like to keep him.
Bay News 9 spoke with representatives of Cypress Palms Living Facility. They said they’d like to help Mary Lou, but their staff is dedicated to attending to the residents. They’re also hoping someone might step up and help.