On Tuesday, Gold medalist Lindsey Vonn said she would be skipping the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi thanks to bum knee, which is still hurting her after surgery 11 months ago. The news hit like a thunderbolt, but as the stories piled up and talking heads parsed the news — Lindsey is the most accomplished female skier in U.S. history — the athlete had something else on her mind. Something better: She had a dog to rescue.
His name is Leo. He also has a bad knee, the result of being hit by a car. Veterinarian Dr. Todd Vinoski of Furry Friends Adoption and Clinic said the brindle Boxer mix had broken his leg and was given up by his owner, according to WPBF 25 News.
On Wednesday, Vonn turned up at the clinic, eager to take Leo home. She first met the dog on Christmas Eve, and returned Tuesday with Tiger Woods. He wanted a certain Pit Bull mix. Lindsey wanted the Brindle Boxer mix. Tiger is her boyfriend. He lost.
A reporter from WPBF 25 News asked why she chose that particular dog.
“He has a bad knee, just like me,” said Vonn.
Also: “I just want him to be safe.”
After picking up the dog, she hustled him into her car, brushing off the reporter peppering her with questions about missing the Olympics (“I’m pretty bummed out,” she said before closing the car door).
Later that day, though, she tweeted the happy news: Leo brightened my day — adopted him from an animal shelter. Has a bum knee bc a car hit him.
Then she posted more of the story on Facebook:
This definitely brightened my day — I adopted this 9-month-old cutie from an animal shelter. He has a bad knee from being hit by a car when he was a puppy and no one wanted him … but I do! I encourage anyone looking for an animal to adopt from a shelter and save a life! #bumkneebuddies
At the clinic, according to WPBF, Vonn spent a half hour with veterinarian Vinoski, who said the dog had already had one surgery.
“She is going to take him to another orthopedic surgeon and see what can be done further for him,” he said.
Vonn, too, is expected to have another surgery. Let’s hope these bum knee buddies get back in shape soon enough.
Via WPBF 25 News
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