Bonnie and Mike Turner are known worldwide as breeders of American hairless terriers. So the tragic news that Saturday’s tornado took her life, severely injured him and destroyed their Aragon home and kennel has sent ripples of sadness throughout the breed’s community.
Adding to the heartbreak is the fate of dozens and dozens of dogs the Turners are said to have had at their Flinthill Kennel at the time.
Nine have been rescued, but about 30 perished in the storm, and more than 50 others are still missing, including the chocolate-spotted family terrier named Skeeter that Mike Turner has been asking about from his hospital bed.
He had surgery Monday, and nephew Kenny Jackson said Turner “is fine and recovering from his surgery.”
The Turners are founding members of the American Hairless Terrier Association and “loved by all within the breed.”
So friends and members in the AHTA have started a fund for the care of Mike Turner and the surviving dogs.
“So far only nine of their terriers have be recovered and are being taken care of. Many are at the vets for care and will be for many days,” said Richard Hunter, an AHTA member. “We hope that there are more that survived the tornado and are wandering around.”
Hunter said another family pet, RP, was found dead on the Turner property, but he hopes Skeeter — who was in the house with RP and the Turners — turns up safe.
“Miracles do happen,” he said.
Click here to view more images of Skeeter.
HOW TO HELP THE TURNERS
Contributions may be made to the Turner Family Relief Fund via PayPal, the online payment Web site at www.paypal.com. Payments should be addressed to: paypal@ahta.info.
All proceeds will go to the Turner family and/or for the care of their dogs. Be sure to include “The Turner Family Relief Fund” in the “Subject” or “Message Area” when making a contribution.
Contributions may also be mailed to:
Turner Relief Fund
c/o Melissa Kidd
4509 Pete Lane
Trinity, NC 27370
