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Clementine The Pitbull Beat Death Twice — Now She Needs Your Help

By Kelly Bauer | April 26, 2017 5:02am | Updated on April 28, 2017 10:45am
 Clementine the pitbull is a
Clementine the pitbull is a "wonderful" dog who will soon be looking for a home, her rescuer said.
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Courtesy Chicago Animal Advocates

CHICAGO — Clementine the pitbull has fought her way back from the brink of death — in fact, she's done it more than once just this month.

The plucky pitbull was rescued with the help of Chicago Animal Advocates and will be up for adoption in a few weeks. The animal group is used to helping animals in need, but its supporters — and Clementine — are looking for help as they try to raise more than $12,800 to cover the emergency care needed to save Clementine.

“She really wanted to live, so we couldn’t say no to her,” said Angelica Staniszewska, founder of Chicago Animal Advocates. “I honestly can’t believe she didn’t die … I was pretty confident that she wouldn’t make it the next couple days.”

 Chicago Animal Advocates rescued Clementine, but the dog's care cost more than $12,800.
Chicago Animal Advocates rescued Clementine, but the dog's care cost more than $12,800.
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Courtesy Chicago Animal Advocates

Clementine was ill when found by Chicago Animal Care and Control in early April. She'd recently given birth, Staniszewska said, but no puppies were found with her and her mammary glands were blocked and infected.

With the department unable to care for her, Clementine was just minutes away from being euthanized when Chicago Animal Advocates swooped in and said it would be able to take her in, Staniszewska said.

But Clementine's troubles were far from over: The pitbull had two rapidly progressing infections and necrotic tissue that needed to be removed. She was underweight, her ribs visible through her skin, and battling pneumonia.

Vets worried Clementine was a poor candidate for surgery and anesthesia because of her pneumonia, but after several days they were able to remove her infected mammary glands and skin and give her stitches and staples, Staniszewska said.

Clementine has been in recovery with a Wilmette foster family since then. She's finishing up her medication and she'll have her stitches and staples removed next week.

“She definitely feels a lot better and is acting like a normal, happy dog,” Staniszewska said. “She’s absolutely wonderful. She’s so sweet.”

The "wonderful" pitbull should be up for adoption in several weeks, Staniszewska said. She's 5 or 6 years old, high-energy, "wiggy" and likes to "run around," Staniszewska said. Clementine has gotten along with other dogs she's met and loves people.

Information about making her part of the family will be available on the Chicago Animal Advocates website.

In the meantime, Chicago Animal Advocates is trying to raise money to cover Clementine's care. The bill is by far the highest it's ever faced when rescuing an animal, Staniszewska said, even though it receives a discount through the provider it used.

The group has raised about $7,000 of its $12,810 goal, and Clementine was even featured as Riot Fest's pet of the week.

“I can’t believe how many people have come together to help Clementine, and it’s even people that…have their own rescues. Even they’re donating to her," Staniszewska said. “It’s been very heartwarming. It kind of makes me want to cry sometimes to see all these people caring about her and supporting our rescue group.

"It’s been really amazing to see that, to see the whole community come together for one dog.”

Supporters can donate to Clementine's care and Chicago Animal Advocates online at YouCaring or by sending a PayPal donation to ChicagoAnimalAdvocates@gmail.com.