Thanks to support generated from a Newtown Bee Letter Hive appeal, a seemingly unaffected and downright perky 11-year-old poodle mix recently rescued from a New York dog pound is recovering after a local veterinarian removed a half-pound tumor from his abdomen.

According to Dolores Miller, who along with volunteers Diane Coviello and Lee Field are maintaining the modest local Spay and Neuter of Newtown nonprofit, the pair took over care of the ailing little white fur baby after learning it had ended up in the Manhattan animal control facility.

“We believe he had been well cared for at some point,” Miller told The Bee. Miller suspects Bebe may have ended up in the pound after his owner passed away or could no longer care for him.

But the eight — and now seven-and-a-half pound Bebe arrived in Newtown with a malignant tumor, and had already been rejected for surgery by a regional animal hospital due to the suspected concern that the tiny pooch wouldn’t make it through the complex procedure to remove the cancerous mass.

The risk did not deter local vet Dr John Rob of Protect The Pets, however, and he proceeded with the delicate procedure at his South Main Street clinic. After a touch-and-go period of initial recovery, Miller says Bebe is back home and already getting his frisky back.

“This little dog got a raw deal, and now he has a new lease on life thanks to the care and expertise of Dr Robb,” she said, adding that the nonprofit not only helped defer the surgical expenses, but also invested in surplus blood so a transfusion could be accomplished as the surgery commenced.

Miller said an early June letter to the editor reminding readers about their charity and mentioning Bebe’s plight generated hundreds of dollars in donations, many of which were accompanied by “lovely notes” from donors who wanted to help the little white dog survive and continue to thrive.

According to the original Letter Hive submission, Spay and Neuter of Newtown was started in 1983 to assist people with the spay and neutering of their pets and feral cats, and to educate the community on the care of pets. So far in 2023, the nonprofit has been able to assist in the spay and neutering of over 75 pets.

The association is run solely by volunteers, Miller explained, and as the original crew of volunteers diminished with age, she and Dillon are looking for new volunteers. And since the organization exists solely on grants and contributions, they would welcome donations as well as volunteers who are inclined to support the cause.

“Oftentimes families and seniors alike are caught in a dilemma when money is tight, in caring properly for their pets. We have also assisted these individuals,” the letter detailed. Miller said the charity has also donated books to C.H. Booth Library on animal care.

Anyone interested in being a volunteer, or donating to Spay and Neuter’s efforts can send a note of interest or donation by check to Spay and Neuter of Newtown, PO Box 352, Newtown, CT 06470 — or call Miller at 860-426-2094.