An Arlington woman originally from Albania is raising money through GoFundMe to bring a stray dog from her home country to the United States.
Silvi Pomeroy, a resident physician at George Washington University Hospital, met “Buddy” on a trip to show her husband Albania and visit family. Her aunt had been feeding Buddy for a couple weeks leading up to their visit, and he followed the family around on walks.
“We’d walk by where his little territory was, and he would immediately come running,” Pomeroy said. “He’s just the sweetest little boy, and he would put his front legs up on your arm and would just try to walk with you and would try to follow us home.”
After Pomeroy had returned to the United States, her mom — who was still in Albania — reportedly witnessed a man on the street abusing Buddy.
“He’s kicking him and Buddy was on the ground crying and not moving,” Pomeroy said. “My mom ran over and told the man off, and that’s when we kind of put together a plan of, ‘okay, we need to do something.'”
Pomeroy and her family have raised a total of $785 to help cover Buddy’s medical and travel expenses. Their listed goal on the website is $1,200.
Buddy is currently quarantining at the Tirana Veterinary Hospital in Albania, but Pomeroy said nothing major has come up in his medical evaluation yet. After he’s cleared, the next step will be to get Buddy on a plane to the United States.
Pomeroy and her husband are planning to foster the dog for as long as it takes to find him a new home.
“Buddy is a special boy because he’s special in our hearts, and he’s just the sweetest little gentleman,” Pomeroy said, “but there’s so many Buddy’s around the world that just need a voice.”
