Ligonier family fights to save life of Great Pyrenees pup

When Josi Bennett lost her legs in a car crash 24 years ago and spent months in the hospital recuperating, the best part of her stay was Blizzard, a Great Pyrenees therapy dog.

More than two decades later, when she saw Great Pyrenees puppies for sale on Facebook, she decided to buy her own Blizzard.

“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I have to have one.’ I picked one out and I was like, ‘He’s my Blizzard,’ ” Bennett said.

The dog’s symbolic significance doesn’t end there, though. Bennett later found out her Blizzard was born on Nov. 21, 2018, the same day she adopted four of her five children.

“We knew he was meant to be ours because it all worked out perfectly,” Bennett said.

So when Blizzard became sick in early May, the family decided to do whatever they could to save his life.

Blizzard’s intestines stopped absorbing nutrients. After surgery, a feeding tube, three stays at Animal Medical Center in Somerset and upwards of $10,000 in medical bills, the family is “hoping and praying” that Blizzard gets better soon.

He is back at home and on medication.

“He’s my baby,” Bennett said. “I need him in my life.”

Blizzard – or “Blizz” – lives with Bennett, Bennett’s biological daughter Braelyn, and Bennett’s four adopted children: Tayler, Tessa, Trista and Taidym. The family also has four cats and a second Great Pyrenees.

Though Blizz is still recovering, the pup is full of love and affection for his owners and visitors. Blizz, who looks a bit like a polar bear, is “famous” in Ligonier. His appearances elicit pets, dancing and many pictures.

“Everybody knows him,” Bennett said. “Everybody wants a hug from him.”

Bennett is “so happy” with Animal Medical Center’s care, which included an emergency midnight surgery.

“The people at AMC are not like regular vets,” she said. “They go above and beyond for the care of your animal.”

Mary Ellen Raneri, one of Bennett’s middle school teachers, said the Bennett family’s story “tugs at her heart strings.”

“(Bennett) really has a lot of get-up-and-go, this kid,” Raneri said. “Every day she wakes up and she’s so positive, chipper and willing to help other people.”

The family is accepting donations on GoFundMe to help pay for Blizz’s medical bills and on Monday was well past halfway toward its goal. Donation checks also can be sent to Animal Medical Center in Somerset.