A woman who experienced a horrific occurrence that resulted in the loss of an eye due to a gunshot wound is drawing strength from a cute puppy who, ironically, also has one eye.
According to Maria Williamson of Mobile, Alabama, "Bear lost his eye from being bitten by a bigger dog, so we've pretty much got the same narrative," she told ABC News today. "Bear reminds me that anyone can experience awful things.
We get along well, she continued.
He enjoys playing.
Williamson, 26, claimed that while waiting at a red light on June 28, she was shot in the face during an attempted robbery.
She lost her right eye in the horrible tragedy.
Seven young gang members have been detained and are facing charges of attempted murder, firing into an occupied car, and attempted carjacking, according to Williamson. "They claimed to be robbing me when they called the police.
I was heartbroken, she continued. "The fear of the unknown really got to me; I kept thinking, 'Would I be able to see far away?' and 'I can never watch 3-D movies again.
Williamson's boyfriend saw a picture of a puppy who had lost an eye after being mauled by another dog and wrote to a nearby animal shelter two months after the incident.
In a letter to the Mobile, Alabama-based Animal Rescue Fund, he claimed that his fiancée had been a victim of senseless gang violence. "Teenagers on foot approached her in her automobile and shot her without provocation or warning. Personally, I believe that taking care of Bear will aid in Bear's recovery from their horrific attacks as well as her own."
Williamson and Bear, an eight-week-old mixed-breed dog, met after Allison Rellinger, vice president of the shelter, said she and staff members were very moved by the message.
She claimed that "Maria's boyfriend truly saw our article." "She exclaimed, "Oh my Goodness, there's a dog without an eye," and then fell in love as he showed her Williamson.
Bear's eye had totally come out of its socket because it had been picked up, shook, and other things by a larger dog, according to Rellinger. "She will undoubtedly be able to relate to the puppy's situation. There is nothing better in our opinion for a hurt puppy."
Williamson claimed that adopting Bear and experiencing crime victimization have made her more aware of the value of life.
She said, "I felt so grateful to be alive." "Look at how dangerously near I came to dying. I did not experience depression and I still do not. I've actually been in a joyful mood. My entire attitude on life has changed. Nothing can depress me.
Williamson continued, "To other victims, don't let this break you. "If you allow this to have a negative impact on how you live your life, your assailant will ultimately succeed. You will have triumphed if you emerge grateful for your second opportunity at life and in a favorable frame of mind."