The community is making an effort to help a Norwalk woman and her dog get back on their feet after a fire destroyed their home.

A 2-year-old dog named Ella was trapped in her home on France Street in Norwalk during the fire before she was rescued.

"She a miracle. I didn't think I'd ever see her again," said Nancy Choyce LaRosa, with American Legion Post 12 in Norwalk.

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Ella was on oxygen. She still has some trouble breathing but has been released from a local veterinary clinic. Ella still has burn marks from the fire, but her owner Liz Ward says she is starting to come around.

"It's incredible, I can't believe it. Two Mondays ago we thought that we were going to have to put her down," said Ward.

Ella is taking about 10 medications and burn creams to help her healing process.

The fire Sept. 9 destroyed everything in the home. Ella and Ward are now living in a hotel until they can find an affordable place to live.

"Liz literally has her car and her laptop. She has nothing," said LaRosa.

A GoFundMe was already set up to help pay for the almost $20,000 worth of vet bills. Now, American Legion Post 12 in Norwalk, which knows Ward from her work with Norwalk veterans and Toys for Tots, is doing a pasta dinner fundraiser next Thursday at 6 p.m. to help even more.

"Just to be sort of on the receiving end of it and just have the attention and everything. It's not something that I'm used to," said Ward.

Tickets are $25 and the legion says people have already been mailing checks. Ward says anything will help.

Norwalk Fire is still investigating a cause of the blaze.