Rescue dog fights for own life

ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) - A New Mexico border collie that helped find bodies at the Pentagon after the attacks on Sept.11, 2001 is now in a fighting for life against cancer.

Now friends are reaching out to make sure Sage can continue saving human lives.

"The x-rays and the cat scan showed the tumor in her chest. It's between her lungs," said JoAnn Hise said.

Hise is a friend of Sage's owner Diane Whetsel. They met when Hise bought one of Sage's puppies.

Hise has been a fan of Sage's ever since, and now has set up a fund to help pay for the pup's treatment.

"She's a hero. She's helped so many people, and now she needs help and we just decided we're going to get in there and help her,” Hise said.

Sage has worked search and rescue cases around the world.

She’s searched for soldiers in Iraq, Natalie Holloway in Aruba, and on the Gulf Coast in the wake of hurricanes. She also worked rescue missions throughout southeast New Mexico and West Texas.

Recently Whetsel and Sage took a trip to Santa Fe to get the tumor checked out. According to the vet, Sage needs surgery and chemotherapy at a cost of $5,000.

Then Whetsel came home and found out her job at the Roswell Correctional Center could be in jeopardy because of the state's budget crisis.

"It's hard to spend $5,000 dollars on a credit card, on a dog, when you don't even know where you're going to be living or what you're doing," Hise said. "She's a heck of a dog, that's why I told the group, we had a meeting last week, and I said we got to do something for her."

If the surgery and chemotherapy are successful, Sage could continue working as a FEMA certified search and rescue dog.

To donate for Sage's medical treatment send a check for account 1403003841 to Pioneer Bank, P.O. Box 130, Roswell, NM 88202.