$8K raised to help puppy "Grace" that fell from bridge in southwest Houston

PASADENA, TX (KTRK) -- A Pasadena woman who made a desperate plea for financial help for an injured puppy she found is thanking everyone today who pitched in on a GoFundMe page. Jennifer Jones took in a foster puppy that was found badly injured in a ditch and called out for viewers' help.

Eyewitness News viewers answered. Just minutes after the story aired, the initial goal of $3,000 was met. On the GoFundMe page today, $8,080 is raised as of this writing.

This message is now posted on the page:

"Thank you all for helping us reach our initial goal! Without all of you we wouldn't have made it this far. Special thanks to Channel 13 News for picking up Grace's story! They were very helpful from the beginning and are very special people indeed!We raised the goal amount because if it is at all possible, we will try to save her rear leg and whatever the difference is, we'd like to help out the rescues that helped us at such a difficult time. At a minimum as of now, we will be able to proceed with the urgent surgeries needed of repairing the front paw and to later, in a couple weeks after the front has healed enough to compensate for the weigh, amputate the back leg. We also appreciate the suggestions about where to go. It has been very nerve wracking and stressful searching for a surgeon that will work with us and within the time frame needed. These will be helpful!YOU beautiful people have made a difference and thank you for that!'Annaleigh Grace' JJ & Jeffxoxoxo"

The pit bull mix puppy was found in a ditch off Sageaspen Lane in southwest Houston Thursday.

Resident Aurora Savedra said of Grace's condition when she was discovered, "You could see her skeleton. She was really thin. I don't know if she fell. If someone threw her down there."

Neighbors carefully walked down the steep 20-foot culvert to rescue the puppy who may have been there for days.

"She wouldn't whimper. She didn't cry. She was really weak," said Savedra.

Unable to walk, neighbors took in the puppy and sought the help of a foster shelter.

"We answered the call," said Jones. "The grace of God she's still alive."

Jones took the dog, who she named Annaleigh Grace, to the vet. X-rays showed the bad news. The puppy suffered a broken femur and a broken paw, among other injuries.

Jones feared if she couldn't raise the money for two critical surgeries costing more than $3,000, Grace would have had to be euthanized. Now, it seems, that's no longer feared.

If you would like to offer additional help, go to the GoFundMe page.

Jones said, "She's so special. She deserves love."