FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. \u2014 A Fort Lauderdale family grieving the loss of a loved one in a hit-and-run crash is now pleading for help to find a home for his two dogs, who were left without their owner.<\/p>\n
The victim, Joey Henriquez, died after he was struck while walking his bicycle across Palm Aire Drive in Pompano Beach. <\/p>\n
His family said the driver fled the scene, leaving Henriquez in the roadway. His mother, Linda Cuevas, said she is still struggling to comprehend the sudden loss.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole thing just came as a total shock,\u201d Cuevas said.<\/p>\n
Henriquez spent days in the hospital before he was pronounced brain dead, according to his sister, Michelle Zymet.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe spent about a week in the hospital just hoping and praying that my brother would come out of this, unfortunately again, he was pronounced brain dead so by the grace of God as well, he was able to donate some of his organs to save other lives which I think is an amazing tribute to him,\u201d Zymet said.<\/p>\n
Now, his family says they are facing another heartbreak \u2014 finding a safe, permanent home for Henriquez\u2019s two dogs, Bella and Ally, who no longer have the owner they were devoted to.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are loving, they\u2019re so affectionate, they love kids, they just love being with each other, they have an amazing time just being of course with my brother and he\u2019s not here so they are missing their Dad,\u201d Zymet said.<\/p>\n
Bella is an 8-year-old white American bulldog-boxer mix. Ally is a 13-year-old tan shepherd-labrador mix. The two have lived together their entire lives and are considered a bonded pair.<\/p>\n
Cuevas said the dogs were an important part of her son\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen my son and I would go to the dog park in Victoria Park, and we would let them loose and everything, Ally would get so excited!\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
But Cuevas said she was recently evicted from her apartment following her son\u2019s death and is recovering from hip surgery after a serious fall, leaving her unable to care for the animals. Bella and Ally are currently being housed at Hounds Town in Broward County.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve got a nice big room there we open up for them,\u201d said facility owner Toni Jade, who also covered their veterinary care and vaccinations.<\/p>\n
The family says that while they are grateful the dogs are safe, the placement is temporary and the pair needs a home where they can remain together.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would really appreciate if somebody could just give them a good home and give them the love and everything and attention that they deserve,\u201d Cuevas said.<\/p>\n
If you are interested in adopting Bella and Ally, please contact Michelle at michellezymet@gmail.com<\/a> or 786-295-4819.<\/p>\n