Mineral Wells Index, Mineral Wells, TX

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  • Faith, the two-legged canine used to inspire others to never give up, visited Strawn Saturday for their Community Animal Rescue Effort event. The inspiring program had folks cuddling and adopting animals looking for homes. Tommy Wells

    Faith Stringfellow

  • Adopt-a-Thon at CARE event Tommy Wells

    Adopt-a-Thon

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April 7, 2009

Doomed dog lives to inspire

By Tommy Wells
sports@mineralwellsindex.com

STRAWN – Faith never looked so good to Strawn’s young Community Animal Rescue Effort.

Not only did the inspirational two-legged dog help raise funds and awareness with her appearance Saturday in the Strawn High School gym, she also helped the pet rescue group serving the Strawn-Mingus-Gordon-Lake Palo Pinto areas find homes for a few animals.

In all, approximately 500 residents from throughout the Palo Pinto, Eastland and Erath area attended the two shows.

“We’re pretty happy with the way it went,” said CARE director Terry Lee. “It went very well, and we are thrilled with the support we got.”

A bipedal dog that has gained international fame – and an honorary commission in the United States Army – Faith entertained area residents on Saturday with an inspirational message of hope and determination.

Born deformed to a chow used for fighting, Faith has learned to overcome the lack of front legs by walking on its hind appendages. The dog can walk upright for distances up to 1/2 mile, according to her owner, Jude Stringfellow of Gainesville, Texas.

Stringfellow said Faith was one of several deformed pups. The others, she said, were “put down” by the mother before her family managed to intervene.

After rescuing the dog, Stringfellow said she and her family discussed ways of making Faith mobile, including the possibility of giving her a skateboard.

In the end, the former college educator decided to teach the dog how to walk on its hind legs. Using a spoon filled with peanut butter, she enticed the puppy to beginning sitting up. Three months later, Faith was capable of walking upright.

The dog’s efforts to survive caught the eye of the U.S. Army, which employs the 6-year-old animal to serve as an inspirational message to wounded soldiers. The dog travels throughout the world to visit GIs who have been injured or have lost limbs.

“She really helps them,” said Stringfellow. “You can see them (the soldiers) brighten up when they see her.”

Faith’s visit to western Palo Pinto County spurred interest in unwanted pets. Lee said approximately seven of the 15 animals CARE brought to the show were adopted. Among the animals adopted were five dogs and two cats – one of which had received severe scars from an accident when it was young.

In addition to pledging a portion of funds she generates from her www.sharemarketing.com website to CARE’s efforts to build an animal shelter in the Strawn area, Stringfellow also made a “star” out of an area resident.

During Faith’s visit, she announced that Mineral Wells’ Cristie Cameron had won a contest and earned a spot in Faith’s upcoming movie. Cameron will serve as an extra in the movie, which is being filmed in Gainesville and Oklahoma City.

Among the actresses cast to be in the movie, titled “Faith,” is Lizbeth Lockhart, the daughter of Hollywood screen legend June Lockhart. She will play Jude Stringfellow in the movie, which is scheduled to begin filming this summer for a 2010 release.

June Lockhart gained fame playing the mother in the “Lassie” television series in the 1950s.

During the meetings, CARE members stressed the need for several items the group needs, should anyone wish to donate. Among those items are veterinary supplies, fencing materials, pet food and foster homes.

New members are also being sought. For more information on CARE and its efforts, contact Lee via email at: lee-richard@att.net

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