It’s a sadly familiar tale. A dog abandoned in a shopping center parking lot on Florida’s west coast left with only a leash, one bowl with food and a second with water, as well as two stuffed toys, found by a compassionate human who coincidentally was affiliated with a pet rescue organization.
Yet, this dog arrived with unknown challenges. Now the need is financial to cover anticipated medical bills stemming from two surgeries, one of which is happening Thursday, March 12.
Brewster’s tale began on Aug. 25, 2025 when he was rescued by Upper Keys resident Susan Walker, who was visiting family. Walker also happens to be a board member of MarrVelous Pet Rescues, a nonprofit serving the Upper and Middle Keys.
“Susan called me from the rain-drenched parking lot to ask me if we could take on this dog,” said rescue coordinator Pabla Lorona. “Of course, I said yes.”
Brewster’s story is not especially unfamiliar. Most animals that come to the local rescues come from counties outside of Monroe, especially from the southern area of Miami-Dade.
What makes the now 1-year old Brewster’s story unique is the angular limb deformity on both front legs requiring extensive surgery for a pain-free future, identified during his early months in foster care.
“After we named and fostered him for about a month, we noticed a visible limp and he was favoring his right front leg,” Lorona said. “We consulted with veterinarians, identified the deformities and found a vet who performs the orthopedic surgery Brewster needed.”
Fast-forward five months, several vet visits, X-rays and CT scans prior to surgery, Brewster has found a foster home providing love, routine and obedience training. He’s been in Marathon since January with foster mother Sharleen Belke, a basic obedience and behavioral dog trainer with The Keys to Dog Training. Brewster is being taught some basic commands and learning self-control.
“He is so loveable, snuggly and just so fun,” Belke said about the latest foster for her and her husband. Brewster joined her dog pack of four.
Spending time with Brewster, a plott-bassett hound mix, his mixed breed tendencies toward loyalty, alertness, charm, patience and intelligence abound.
According to the American Kennel Club, a plott hound is “a rugged, relentless hunting dog who is a mellow gentleman at home but fearless, implacable and bold at work.” The basset hound, a more recognizable breed, is a “low-slung and low-key hound (who) can be sometimes stubborn, but is always charming. … With his remarkably heavy bones, powerful little legs and massive paws, he possesses big-dog strength and stamina.”
The veterinarian performing the surgeries is out of Broward County and fundraising is underway to cover the costs, expected between $15,000 and $20,000 for each leg, not including weekly follow-up visits. Without surgery, “Brewster would have lost the ability to walk and become unable to use his front legs within a few months,” Lorona said.
Recovery is expected to last four to five months for each leg and include pool therapy, according to Belke.
“He surprised me by circling our pool often, showing interest in going in. With little encouragement he jumped right in and swam like a natural,” she said.
Donations are being accepted at mprescues.org/donate. Volunteers are always needed and could assist with taking Brewster to his weekly vet appointments in Broward. Call 305-453-1315 for more information.
