'It's really a miracle': Boo the shih tzu back at home in Dartmouth after stabbing

A four-year-old shihtzu-terrier mix named Boois back home in Dartmouth, N.S.still runningto the door to greet visitors with awagging tail after being stabbed multiple times in his chest and abdomen three weeks ago.

Mariah Godin, Boo's owner,arrived home onSept. 29to discovera backpack full of beer left by a stranger,blood on the floorand Boo hiding in the bedroom closet ofher home in the 100 block of Windmill Road.

"It's really a miracle. He's such a little guy to have been attacked like that," she said.

Godin called 911 and Halifax Regional Police arrived quicklybecause a man out on a day pass from the East Coast Forensic Hospital had already called to turn himself in for the attack.

CBC is not naming the man whowas arrested nearby. He'sbeen charged with break and enter, possession of a weapon dangerous to public peace, causing an animal unnecessary suffering.He is scheduled to be back in court next week.

Godinthen wrapped Boo like a baby in a blanket and police rushed them to an emergency veterinarian clinic.

Shedescribes thenexthours as torture as vets worked to save Boo's life. She says theypulled out all the stopsas she approved any treatment that might help, even though there was with no guarantee.

"I can't lose him like that, so I have to try everything," she said about those moments.

AmongBoo's injuries werea collapsed lung, a holeinhis chestand a wound in his abdomen, buthis heart andintestines were unharmed.Godin says she doesn't know how many times he was stabbed.

After a stressful night of blood transfusions and tubes inserted into his lungs and abdomen, Godin says she got a call sayingBoo was stable, butwould need to go to the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown for more treatment.

There he had several surgeries, including the removal ofhis spleen.

People love him as much as I do

A friend of Godin's started a GoFundMe campaign to help with the vet bills. Donors have already contributed$20,000, enough to reach its fundraisinggoal.

"It genuinely, especially in the first week, was how I coped with it, and how I was able to not just think about how awful it was. People who hadn't even met him loved him as much as I do," said Godin.

She says Boo helped her through COVID lockdownsandshe can't imagine living at her house without him.

Boo has been out of hospital for a week and back at home for two days. He is still happy to see people, says Godin, but he starts shaking if she leaves him alone. She hopesto workwith a dog trainer to help Boo recover from the trauma.

For now, Boo's supposed to takeit easy no stairs, no jumping which Godin says is harder to manage as his health improves. He'sallowed to eat anything and everything, on doctor's orders, which means he also gets one of hisfavourites,cheese.

Godin says Boo has to go back to the AVC hospital in a couple of weeks to have his staples removed and to have a check up. He's expected to fully recover except for a possible limp.

As for Godin, she is trying tobuild a new routine and start taking care of herself.

"I feel like I tied so much of it to, like, as long as he's OK, I'll be OK," said Godin.

"He's very tough for such a special princess."