Ludwig Trading Autographed Cards for a Good Cause

For Duane Ludwig, the decision to rescue Orinja, a young canine with a troubled past, was a no-brainer.

“I've always been a huge animal-lover, for one, but seeing this dog in that state of condition was heartbreaking,” Ludwig recently explained to Bleacher Report. 

“She has lived her entire three to five-year life on the end of a chain, going without food and water for days at a time in San Antonio, Texas—where it can get very hot. We suspect she was a breeding-machine for pit-bull fighters.”

Since leaving Texas for Colorado, Orinja has adjusted nicely to the Ludwig household—which includes Duane, his wife, two children and a number of Jack Russell terriers. It didn’t take too long, however, for Orinja’s troubled past to catch up to her—with a bill in tow.

“She has a good amount of arthritis in her back, and after having her for two months, one of her discs ruptured and her back legs would not work,” Ludwig explained.

“(Her) injury was a ruptured disc between her L1 and L2, which was pinching her spinal cords and not allowing her to use her back legs. It's all repaired and she is expected to make a full recovery, but the surgery alone was $6,800.00.”

In an effort to pay for the unexpected expense—which, when coupled with travelling costs and other procedures, Ludwig pegged at $7,400.00—the man they call “Bang” decided to make fans—and fellow-animal-lovers—an offer that they’d be hard-pressed to refuse.

For the foreseeable future, Ludwig is offering fans—although that is by no-means a prerequisite—an autographed Topps trading card for a minimum $10.00 donation to Orinja’s cause.

“(The idea) just came to me,” Ludwig explained. “I don't want to just ask people to help her and people are always hitting me up for autographed items. I'm going to do what Bas Rutten does and donate all the money. But I'll help animals with mine.” 

Although Ludwig, who can be reached at [e-mail], is hoping his efforts will cover Orinja’s procedure, the Colorado-native has his sights set on raising funds for similar causes in the coming years.

“I'm going to continue to donate my store-item profits on www.duanebang.com to the New York Bully Crew,” said Ludwig, who is to return to the UFC’s Octagon against Josh Neer at UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller in January. “And continue to (sell) signed eight-by-tens and cards to help out the animals.”

“I'm going to wear (the New York Bully Crew’s) logo on my fight gear for Jan 20^th and hopefully drive some attention towards them because they help those who can't help themselves. I support those who help animals.”

For those not interested in an autographed card, but still want to help out, please check out: http://tinyneedshelp.chipin.com/orinjas-surgery