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Imagine a car crash saving your life!

February 17, 2008, 5:55PM MT
By dianeg
imagine a car crash saving your life

That’s exactly what happened to Catherine Hedges, from the Chicago, Illinois area.

Catherine is a woman passionate about many things. Quite possibly her biggest passion - what truly makes her eyes light up and her heart sing - is the pit bull. She has worked with government officials in Illinois to try to stop breed bans, she is involved with an independent rescue for pits called Don’t Bully My Breed, and she has been involved in pit bull rescue for nearly a decade.

When Hurricane Katrina hit, Catherine traveled to Louisiana and volunteered at Gonzales for ten days, trying to save as many animals as possible. She was in a van transporting some rescued pits when there was a terrible accident that left Catherine with a broken neck and a broken pelvis. Despite her injuries, Catherine’s primary concern was the safety of the dogs, all of whom miraculously survived.

While Catherine was in the hospital, doctors detected a suspicious lump. Catherine was aware of the lump but had previously been told that it was not a concern. The doctors told her that the previous diagnosis was inaccurate and that she had breast cancer. The cancer was aggressive. She underwent major surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation.

Just six weeks after reconstructive surgery, she and her friend visited Best Friends. They spent the night and had a sleepover with…. you guessed it - a pit bull! Catherine would love to see Cupid adopted, as he is a great dog.

Catherine is an amazing woman with an amazing story. If she hadn’t been in the accident, if she hadn’t gone down to Gonzales, if she didn’t love the pitties……

Catherine - Thank you for all you do, and all you have gone through to continue helping these great dogs!

Written by Lynn Tharpe & Jennifer Johnson

Comments
Posted February 17, 2008, 6:9PM by Sherylcatmom
Wow! Catherine is an inspiration. I am still shaking my head about the awful car accident that led to a life-saving discovery. I wish Catherine a long, healthy life full of pittie love.
Posted February 17, 2008, 6:52PM by marys
Catherine, your story is so moving!! Thanks for sharing Catherine with us, Lynn. She is one special lady, and I can easily see why you were so moved by her story and her presence. Go Catherine! Go pitties!
Posted February 17, 2008, 11:0PM by Felis_sapien
Is that a set of stairs leading to the sign? Is that recently new? The last time I had my picture taken by the sign I had to crawl through thistles and sagebrush!

Now mind you, I think the stairs are great and look lovely, but think how much people are deprived of the authentic experience of getting slapped and scratched by desert flora to get to the sign.

JUST KIDDING. I think it looks great, and what an inspiring story about Catherine Hedges. What an inspiration she is to the rest of us. Thanks for sharing and bless you, Catherine.
Posted February 18, 2008, 2:22PM by lindablauch
What a beautiful story. Catherine, you are an inspiration. I hope to get to meet you one day.
Posted February 19, 2008, 2:27PM by just_tracy
To have been faced with such life altering challenges and to - just 6 short weeks later! - to be right back in, making a huge difference in the lives of so many... Thank you for all that you do for the critters (especially the pitties!) but also for being an inspiration to women everywhere that there IS life after breast cancer. Catherine, you are truly the epitome of compassion, grace and dignity! Good on you, Girl.... Good on you!
Posted February 20, 2008, 12:50PM by rupert
Amazing, touching, heartwarming, a true survival story of passion & love for the dogs!! Catherine you are simply wonderful!!
Thanks Lynn for sharing her story.
Posted February 22, 2008, 7:54AM by flbuldog
I LOVE YOU CATHERINE!
Posted February 22, 2008, 10:12AM by Cecilia
Your the best Catherine and through your love for Pit Bulls many many have been saved. Everything happens for a reason and the same way you saved so many dogs, your love for them saved you.

Cecilia (Pit Stop Rescue Chicago)
Posted February 22, 2008, 10:22AM by Cdtbullyrescue
Catherine, you know you are one of my most favorite people!!!

You have done so much for the dogs!
BTW I have a dog here you would LOVVVVEEEEEE
HUGE HUGS!!!
Love ya girl!
Laurie
Casa Del Toro Pit bull Education & Rescue
www.casadeltoro.org
Posted February 22, 2008, 11:13AM by MagdaC
Catherine, thank GOD for you!!! You are such an inspiration!!!

Love, Magda, Mike, Mikey, Jazzy and "Atticus" :)
Posted February 22, 2008, 1:35PM by MeganM66
I met Catherine about 6 years ago and have been fostering for her ever since. The dozens of awesome dogs she's placed with me have taught me endless lessons and changed my life forever. Knowing her has been a gift.

Megan.
Posted February 22, 2008, 8:40PM by tinkerbel5
Great bio on an amazing women!!!! I have had the pleasure to foster for Catherine in Chicago- and the unique thing about Catherine is that she always knew which dogs to place in my home as fosters--
2 of the several dogs I fostered for her are now mine!!!
she is tiredless in her life journey to find loving homes for a wonderful breed of dog-- I am proud to call her a mentor and also a friend- Way to go!!! eileen
Posted February 23, 2008, 9:51AM by SkidWylde
I have known Catherine for about a year. I met her well we actually never have met in person but we met over the phone when I was trying to adopt a pit bull. After being turned down by other animal rescues she worked dilligently for months to find the right fit for my situation. Now I am the proud father to Deucey Boy. He has been a colorful addition to our household. Catherine inspired me to do more than just sit around and bitch about all the injustices that are done to theses beautiful dogs. Since meeting her I have adopted another pit named Sisi. Now I am the proud parent of 3. I also started volunteering some time at a local animal shelter! Thanks Catherine for the inspiration!!!
Posted February 23, 2008, 9:39AM by PrinceysMomma
I'm so proud to know Catherine. I met her 7 years ago when she adopted me my little angel, Princey.... And I've been in admiration of her ever since. She is the most amazing human I've ever met. She's strong, brave, beautiful and an inspiration to all of us that are blessed enough to know her.

THANKS CATHERINE!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!
Posted May 01, 2009, 12:50PM by JoyceMC
Catherine, This is amazing! Thanks for sharing your story. No wonder my son loves you so much! Hope you get well.
Joyce Cleary
Posted February 25, 2008, 12:19PM by nikitachina
I think Catherine is a great person and I have had a chance to work with her as she helped me save a beautiful Pitt Bull named Sasha from a kill shelter in KY. Catherine helped get her all the way to IL to a wonderful NO KILL shelter just waiting for adoption. I had no idea until I read this article about her ordeal but I too think she is a wonderful person!!
Posted June 10, 2008, 7:2PM by dpadzensky
Catherine - if you read this, it is Dan from the university of wisconsin (dark haired hippy guy). I think this is you even though your hair color has changed. I have read some of the things you are doing in Chicago over the years but did not know about your accident. I would love to chat sometime. email is dpadzensky@erac.com. Hope to hear from you.

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