Danielle Collins may not win the Miami Open trophy this year, but she`s leaving with something even more rewarding. The world`s number 15 tennis player demonstrated quick thinking when she discovered an injured dog struck by a car near Hard Rock Stadium. Her actions not only saved the dog`s life but also brought a new furry friend into her home.
Following her victory over Rebeka Masarova on Saturday night, Collins shared in a post-match interview that she and her team found the injured dog in the road two days prior as they were leaving the tournament grounds. They immediately rushed him to a veterinary hospital. The dog underwent emergency surgery and needed further treatment for lung issues. Collins promised that if he recovered, she would adopt him.
Collins kept her fans updated on social media, and on Monday, she posted a photo on her Instagram story of herself cuddling the recovering dog at the hospital. She named him Crash Marino Collins – “Crash” because of the accident and “Marino” after the famous Miami Dolphins quarterback, Dan Marino.
By Wednesday, after five days of oxygen therapy, Collins announced in an Instagram post the happy conclusion: Crash was released from the hospital, officially adopted, and is settling into his new loving home.
`His breathing is normal again, his wounds are healing, and he`s clearly enjoying all the affection,` Collins wrote on Instagram, introducing Crash to her followers. `He`s curious, loving, and thankful for a second chance at life. It was heartbreaking to see a dog in such pain after being hit by a car and left in the road as people drove past.`
`I`m just so grateful I was there to help him get the care he needed.`
Crash is now part of Collins` family, joining her four other dogs, including her well-known Labradoodle, Quincy, also known as `Mr. Q.` Mr. Q has been a constant companion for Collins over the past year, and she even called him the `MVP` of her journey to winning her first WTA 1000 title last spring. She was delighted to announce that Quincy now has `a new brother.`
`Thank you to everyone who sent prayers for Crash,` she added, `[and] a huge thank you to the incredible veterinary team who looked after Crash and provided him with the best possible care!`
Rupert Caldwell