GRAVETTE — Many stories have come from Joplin following the tragic tornado that devastated that city several days ago.

Missy Hall, a technician at the Country View Animal Care Center in Gravette, relates this touching story:

“Our clinic was contacted by Gail Gamble who lives in Joplin but works at Ozarks Community Hospital. She had taken in a Joplin storm victim.”

The victim was an eight pound Chihuahua that belonged to a resident of a nursing home that was destroyed by the tornado. The deceased owner of the little dog was found on her mattress in therubble. She was clutching the little animal in her arms.

“She (the little dog) was limping on her right rear leg and we all suspected a break in the bone so we x-rayed her. As it turned out, she was very sore but all in all was a very lucky survivor.”

Her new name is Stormy!

Gamble is a lifelong Joplin resident. Her home and that of her brother were spared but her brother’s business was not, according to Hall.

“We at Country View Animal Care Center feel very fortunate to have been able to assist these people in some small way. Our hearts and prayers are with them,” she said.

News, Pages 14 on 06/15/2011