Residents, Biz Help Save Dog From Being 'Put Down'

Times are admittedly tight for local and fairly-new business owner Cassie Schofield, which is why a sudden and mysterious illness to her beloved dog Archie was more than just extremely emotionally trying.

Archie, a roughly 3-year-old black Labrador/pit bull mix, is the heart of Schofield's The Barking Bean Café and an "off the walls" and "loving" friend to many in town, according to Schofield. Recently, though, Archie couldn't stand or walk, had breathing problems and had a fever over 105 degrees — all of which created a stark contrast in his health as doctors were perplexed that test and test kept coming back normal.
 
Sensing the strain the ordeal was having on Schofield, Main Street Animal Hospital Chief of Staff Dr. Christopher Martin consulted numerous specialists, worked through the weekend and did everything in his power — a lot of which at no charge — to help Archie in his recovery, according to Schofield, who said she is incredibly grateful. 

"They just are so fond of Archie that they really did just want to get him better," said Schofield, a lifelong Salem resident and 2008 Salem High School graduate who walked away from a rare opportunity in the medical field to open her dream café. "They also kept reassuring me that Archie was their first priority and not to stress about building up a bill.

"I had to go see a specialist who also consulted with my vet, and [Archie] seems to be doing a turnaround, but without any of the time and effort put in by Main Street going way above and beyond, my dog likely would have had to have been put down."

Who You Callin' Cupcake?, a local cupcake shop and bakery, has also pitched in to help after catching word of Archie's struggles and the roughly $4,000 bill associated with his care. The business has put out a donation jar with Archie's life-threatening story, which has since rapidly spread through Facebook and gained many supporters in the community, including Vibe Salon.

Schofield has been blown away by all of the support, and she said she's appreciative to be part of a great example of all the "good things that happen in town."

"Archie is still not totally out of the woods, but wouldn't be even close to better without them," said Schofield, who said she would "do anything" to help Archie.