KOMO 4 viewers give life-saving dog a second chance | 911

A paralyzed dog from Des Moines is doing better thanks to KOMO 4 viewers and a West Seattle veterinarian.

Piper, an 8-year-old black Labrador, was partially paralyzed last week by a hit and run driver.

Her owner, Tony Valda raced Piper to a vet, but he couldn't afford an x-ray. 

"Over the weekend, I was wondering, is she going to live or die," Valda said.

In desperation, Valda called the KOMO 4 Problem Solvers, who reached out to Greentree Animal Hospital in West Seattle. Veterinarians there agreed to treat Piper.

"We all have big hearts, it's why we're here," Greentree Animal Hospital's Dr. Kenneth McKim said. 

Piper's x-rays showed fractures and a broken tail, but what the dog really needed was an MRI and a closer look by neurologist Dr. Alix Partnow.

"Our plan right now is to try to determine if it's still unstable and needs surgery versus, is her body already healing and keeping thing where they need to be," Partnow said.

The most promising news came during a physical exam of Piper.

"She definitely has sensation in both of her feet," Partnow said. "There's a chance we might not have to do surgery."

Valda said, "This little dog is worth it."

Piper saved Valda’s mother's life a few months ago. The dog woke him up in the middle of the night as his mom RoseMarie was suffering a heart attack.  

"It's just a lot of relief and gratefulness that we're at this point," Valda said.

Piper's care will likely thousands of dollars and so far KOMO 4 viewers are stepping up to cover it - donating more than $2,000.

You can make a donation to the KOMO 4 Problem Solvers.