The heartbreaking death of a beloved French bulldog has left the family of a Tumbler Ridge mass shooting survivor reeling. The dog, who belonged to the mother of 12-year-old Maya Gebala, was hit by a car and unfortunately did not survive the injuries he sustained.
The family, including Maya's father David Gebala, has been providing updates on her condition since she was shot in the face and neck on February 10 during a mass shooting in the remote British Columbia community. The gunman, an 18-year-old transgender woman, was later identified and also took her own life.
Maya's mother, Cia Edmonds, wrote about the tragic loss of her dog on Facebook, expressing her sorrow and gratitude towards a kind stranger who stopped after hitting the dog. Edmonds described the dog as a little guy who was always eager to escape and play with the family, especially Maya, who has been recovering in hospital in Vancouver.
Since Maya's condition has improved, the family has been sharing updates on her progress. Last month, her father wrote that she left the hospital for an outing to the nearby botanical garden, and her mother reported that she has started communicating with the use of a tablet. The family has been living in airBnBs in Vancouver and has received an outpouring of support, with a GoFundMe raising over $585,000.
The family's resilience and determination to support Maya's recovery have been evident in their updates, and the tragic loss of their beloved dog serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life.
Despite the challenges they face, the Gebalas remain hopeful and positive, and their story serves as a testament to the strength and resilience of families in the face of adversity.
