In Loving Memory of
Major Margaret "HotLips" Hullihan

When we hear that name most of us think of the fiery blonde character from the t.v. series M.A.S.H., but to those of us within CAPS that name takes on a new meaning.  Every year CAPS has to turn away countless dogs from our programs, because of limited space, but occasionally a dog crosses our path that we MUST help.  Recently one of those dogs visited our hearts lovingly named HotLips after the t.v. character.  She was given that name because of her determination, strong heart and an envious will to live and love.  HotLips was a 9 year old boxer mix that was rescued on October 10th from hwy 258.  She was starved down to a mere 34lbs. when her ideal weight was 60, she had been burned, hit by a car, had two fractured ribs, shot at least 3 times and was heartworm positive.  When she was rescued on the side of the road she was thought to be dead, but surprisingly alive and friendly.  HotLips was taken to the vet immediately and once her filthy and embedded collar was cut away from her neck and she was given some basic care, remarkably she was deemed fit enough to go home with her new temporary family (the kind ladies from Dook-N-Dance Ferret rescue).  HotLips lived in her new safe and warm home receiving all the love she could ever wish for and more food than she could have imagined for 8 wonderful days.  Sadly on the night of October 18th she lost her long lived battle against all the horrific wrongs that had been done to her.  HotLips lived a long life of suffering and finally in the end found what she had been searching for, people that would return the love that she offered to all that she met.  HotLips was a girl whose story brought tears to the eyes of nearly everyone, but at the same time she would smile and wag her nub of a tail to brighten those people right back up.   The difficult journey that HotLips made to find happiness has now ended and she will eternally be at peace knowing that she was loved and will be greatly missed.

CAPS would like to thank Linda Proulx and Jane Mustard for giving all that they did to HotLips and Dr. Regina Hyde DVM, of Swansboro Pet Care for assisting with HotLips care.    If these kind women hadn't done what they did for her, HotLips journey surely ended in vain.

HotLips your struggle has ended, your wounds are healed and now you may enjoy you eternity of happiness knowing that you are now and always will be loved.