A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help Barrie's 'downtown sweetheart' - a dog named Simcoe Sam who is a beloved fixture in the window of a Simcoe Print Solutions.
Simcoe Sam has been sitting in the window of the shop at Dunlop St. East and Mulcaster for more than two years greeting customers and receiving friendly pets and waves from passersby.
Sam had a bad fall on Jan. 13 while out walking with his 'dad' Rob McCormack, owner of the print shop, who is now desperate to get help for his pet.
"My best friend and greeter to all of downtown Barrie fell hard on the ice. He couldn't get up. I picked him and carried him to his bed," McCormack said in his fundraising appeal.
"He couldn't walk for the rest of the day. His vet said he has a spinal injury and requires surgery and physiotherapy."
Surgery alone will cost $5,000 and McCormack says it's urgent that Simcoe Sam medical care as soon as possible.
"He can't walk unassisted and isn't taking his medication well. I'll be taking him to Guelph for additional assessment. All this comes at a significant cost."
McCormack adopted Simcoe Sam as a rescue 8 years ago and they became inseparable after spending 4 years at home together because McCormack was disabled at the time.
"Sam stayed by my side and we became best buddies. In March 2015 I brought Sam to my print shop to get organized. Since then, Sam sits in the window greeting people and has over 400 friends on FaceBook known as Simcoe Sam," McCormack said.
"So many people love Sam so much. Sam is my world and a gift to all that meet him. I cannot express in words my gratitude to all that can help. We Thank You."
The GoFundMe campaign has a goal of $5,000 and so far nearly $1,000 has been donated.
"Our downtown sweetheart needs help," said fellow Dunlop St. East shop owner Tracey Baker. "We see him every day in the window. Sammy greets everyone who comes in and often passersby just stop to give him a pat on the head or a secret treat. Let's show our downtown community spirit and compassion."
The GoFundMe campaign can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/urgent-surgery-for-simcoe-sam.
