Apr 10, 2007
Planet Dog Foundation Contributes to Help a Hero

Portland, ME – In response to the courage exhibited by a hero seriously injured while saving a dog’s life, the Planet Dog Foundation and corporate partner Planet Dog, have contributed $3,500 towards Michael Keenan’s medical expenses and helped to share his heroic story with the world. Truly dogs’ best friend, Michael Keenan was pet-sitting for a longtime friend when a fire broke outin the San Francisco apartment building on Feb 6, 2007. Michael escaped, but ran back into the blaze to save Bobby, a Jack RussellTerrier, from the burning building, sustaining severe injuries in his heroic act. Nowhe remains in the Intensive Care Unit at San Francisco General Hospital suffering 2nd and 3rd degree burns on over 80 percent of his body.

The Planet Dog Foundation (PDF), with assistance from corporate resources, helped Michael on several levels. PDF made an immediate donation of $1,000 to the Michael J. Keenan Support Fund, established by his brother and close friends to help with his rehabilitation efforts. In addition, PDF contributed $500 to Pets Unlimited, a non-profit animal hospital providing free medical care to Bobby and other dogs with severe fire-related injuries. In order to share Michael’s story and generate additional support, Planet Dog sent an e-mail to tens of thousands of dog-lovers. Response to Michael’s story has been overwhelming, and following the nation-wide e-mail blast, more than $18,000 rolled in to the fund and continues to do so.

Joining the effort in honor of Michael’s Maine roots and his birthday, the Planet Dog Company Store harnessed the concern of the Portland community by contributing $2,000 Michael’s Support Fund, a percentage of sales for the week of Michael’s birthday, March 29th. The money raised in-store will be matched by Michael’s brother Jim, a Portland-based attorney. “Having no personal contacts with Planet Dog, I have been amazed by their generosity and willingness to step up and assist my brother,” says Jim. “I have been equally amazed by the continuing support from this community that I am proud to call home,” adds Jim.

Keenan spent most of his childhood in Maine but moved to California in his early 20’s to start a clothing design company with friends from his home state. He has lived in California ever since, mostly in San Francisco. As a free-lance artist and self-employed entrepreneur, Michael did not have health insurance at the time of the fire, and faces a long, difficult and expensive recovery process. Bobby the dog has been released from the hospital and continues his miraculous recovery at home.

The mission of the Planet Dog Foundation is to promote and celebrate programs in which dogs serve and support their best friends. Funded in part by the sale of Planet Dog’s premier line of dog products, the program provides cash grants, in-kind product donations and other support to programs around the country that support dogs as they support people.

“As a small company doing big things, we are proud to offer assistance to a hero like Michael,” says Alex Fisher, Planet Dog’s co-founder and Chief Creative Officer. “From the beginning, we knew we wanted to build a socially responsible company that not only enhanced the lives of dogs and their people, but one that also improved the world around us by giving back,” adds Fisher.

For information about the Planet Dog Foundation, please visit planetdogfoundation.org. For further information about Michael, and information about the Michael J. Keenan Support Fund, visit michaeljkeenan.com


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