Special bond: Survival drew woman to adopt burned dog
GREENSBORO — As she pranced around the inside of her owner’s salon Wednesday afternoon, Susie had a lot of love to give.
With her tail wagging, the mixed-breed pit bull stopped to get petted by customers and to receive affection from the staff who have fallen in love with her. She licked and sniffed everyone’s hands as a way of saying “hello.”
“She’s overcome a lot,” said her new owner, Donna Lawrence, owner of Kutting Edge Hair Salon on West Market Street. “She’s an inspiration for forgiveness, and I think people can learn a lot from that.”
It was just over five months ago that Susie’s chances of living — let alone expressing love — weren’t so bright.
On Aug. 20, Susie was found burned, severely beaten and close to death in Greenfield Park in south Greensboro.
She was estimated to be 10 weeks old. Based on the development of larvae found on her body, veterinarians believe she had been abandoned for about two weeks.
Her ears were burned off. Her body was covered in second- and third-degree burns. Several teeth had been knocked out.
She was taken to the Guilford County Animal Shelter, where she underwent weeks of treatment from veterinarians and was nursed to health by a foster family.
The man accused of attacking her — Lashawn Whitehead, 20 — turned himself in to police in November and was charged with animal cruelty and burning personal property. His mother said he suffers from mental health issues, and his case is still pending in court.
Lawrence adopted Susie into her family three weeks ago. She said it was a love of animals and a special personal connection she felt with the dog that brought them together.
The two of them are both survivors. In October 2008, Lawrence survived a vicious attack by a pit bull near her High Point home. The dog — abandoned by a neighbor — came up behind her, bit her right leg and threw her to the ground.
Lawrence was able to kick the dog off, roll to safety and run to a neighbor’s home.
She spent the day in an emergency room and received 40 stitches to close up bites that sunk into the bone of her leg and for wounds to her left hand.
“The doctor told me I was lucky to be alive,” Lawrence said. “I was afraid for a while, but I wanted to overcome it.
“I had a miracle and (Susie) had a miracle, I believe that God was looking out for us and brought us together.”
Lawrence was able to help take care of Susie when the dog was with foster “mom” Roberta Wall — watching her on weekends occasionally when Wall was out of town. That’s when she fell in love with Susie.
Lawrence has a bigger plan for Susie than simply salon greeter. Susie is to begin training soon to become a therapy dog to work at nursing homes, schools, with cancer patients and even burn victims.
“With what she’s been through and to love people the way she does,” Lawrence said, “she’s made me realize animals live in the present, not in the past.”
Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com
Accompanying Photos
Photo Caption: Donna Lawrence holds Susie in her Greensboro salon.
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