RIP Sweet Zoepup ❤️
Donation protected
I got Zoë Dang (aka "Zoe Dang Dog Wigglebutts III") when she was 10 weeks old and I was in my 2nd year of law school. I had a stress-related medical scare during my 1st year for which I had to undergo major surgery with a 6-week recovery period during which Zoe rested peacefully on my lap in the passenger seat as we both rested and relaxed on the drive home to Irvine from an adoption event in San Bernardino, CA. Zoe came into my life just in time to help me heal physically, pass law school and the CA State Bar, several "rocky" relationships, a HUGE career change and ultimately helping me find my happiness with just me and my trusty, loyal dog. Along the way there have been happy and rough times, one of which being the huge student debt I owe for law school ($250K+) and the adaptations I chose to undertake so that I could work in an industry where I thrive. Since starting Dang Entertainment LLC my days have been happier and I could spend more time with my Zo-Zo, unfortunately that meant a startup with little to no income and I had to cancel BOTH our medical insurance (bad call). On top of financial hardship I was going through mental breakdowns frequently through law school and recently was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, which I am currently treating.
Through it all Zoe was more than just a pet, she was the ultimate unconditional love I needed to keep going. The consistency of a loving and loyal support system helped me at times I did not even realize it as I was spinning emotionally. I never let my issues affect Zoe's needs and it pulled me back into stability combined with her over-affectionate and goofy personality. There was not an animal or human who did not see that Zoe was a happy dog, so sweet and well-behaved (even if they disagree with walking dogs off-leash, Zoe was a pro at it). It took a tiresome and trying puppy phase with LOTS of chewed up shoes but after a few years Zoe was the model dog. I was rarely in need of a sitter when traveling because everyone loved Zoe, she was truly a pleasure and joy to be around with her constant smile, clumsy mannerisms (she was a 90-lb lap dog) and sometimes reluctant obedience. She hated actual confrontation and would submit to even the smallest animal, though it didn't stop her from trying to get a couple "boxer" swings in if she was feeing playful.
I brought Zoe into her vet when I noticed her belly was more bloated than usual. The past years she's shown more sign of age and weight-gain however it was not noticeable enough to be concerned, the thing that horrifies me most is that she could have been in pain for much longer than I'd known and I didn't help her. This time, however, it was scariest waiting for news to learn I had to take Zoe into the ER because her abdomen was full of blood and she needed emergency surgery and blood transfusion just to make it through the night. It was 12:00am and I was at (my "home") The Comedy Store a crying blubbering mess, I couldn't imagine not seeing her ever again and I would not give up on her. They went ahead with the surgery and I could visit her when she was awake, that was the longest night at "The Store" waiting to go back down the street to visit my baby girl after they closed. I visited her 2 more times the next day before I could bring her home the day after, for as long as I possibly could each time.
When I picked Zoe up from the ER she was back to her old self again trying to jump and energetic, likely because she finally felt healthy again mixed with her pain meds. It made me emotional to see her so happy and sad to think she was unnecessarily in pain and I didn't even know. I tried to make her quality of life the best I possibly could, we played with doggy friends, Aunties and Uncles came to visit, shared McDonald nuggets and fries with Mommy, spent time with her (human) grandparents and cousins and treats galore!
10 days later Zoe had that same look on her face the day I brought her into the vet and she couldn't even make it up the stairs. I sat in our stairwell panicking about what to do but looking at her eyes I knew I had to take her to the ER again. At the ER again, I learned Zoe had another bleed and even if she underwent another surgery or blood transfusion she would likely have another bleed within the week. It was time to say goodbye and I couldn't put her through this whole ordeal again. I'd given her the best last days I could and she seemed like she was in so much pain.
Zoe passed away on Monday, August 27, 2018 at Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital in Hollywood, CA. She was spoiled with chicken, tuna, baby and doggy food and died in her mommy's lap just like the day I took her home. I'm thankful to MASH for taking such good care of my "daughter" in her last days, it's hard to think about the cost when I can't even bear to think of Zoe never being home with me again but alas the vets, surgeons, vet techs, receptionists, all those who helped make Zoe feel comfortable and loved cost more than I can cover on my own at this time. I will update with numbers and more detailed info when I can but any help or shares are greatly appreciated. I never expected to fundraise but at this point I honestly don't know what to do. Thank you and much love from myself and Zoepup.
Zoe Dang's Emergency Vet Bills
Through it all Zoe was more than just a pet, she was the ultimate unconditional love I needed to keep going. The consistency of a loving and loyal support system helped me at times I did not even realize it as I was spinning emotionally. I never let my issues affect Zoe's needs and it pulled me back into stability combined with her over-affectionate and goofy personality. There was not an animal or human who did not see that Zoe was a happy dog, so sweet and well-behaved (even if they disagree with walking dogs off-leash, Zoe was a pro at it). It took a tiresome and trying puppy phase with LOTS of chewed up shoes but after a few years Zoe was the model dog. I was rarely in need of a sitter when traveling because everyone loved Zoe, she was truly a pleasure and joy to be around with her constant smile, clumsy mannerisms (she was a 90-lb lap dog) and sometimes reluctant obedience. She hated actual confrontation and would submit to even the smallest animal, though it didn't stop her from trying to get a couple "boxer" swings in if she was feeing playful.
I brought Zoe into her vet when I noticed her belly was more bloated than usual. The past years she's shown more sign of age and weight-gain however it was not noticeable enough to be concerned, the thing that horrifies me most is that she could have been in pain for much longer than I'd known and I didn't help her. This time, however, it was scariest waiting for news to learn I had to take Zoe into the ER because her abdomen was full of blood and she needed emergency surgery and blood transfusion just to make it through the night. It was 12:00am and I was at (my "home") The Comedy Store a crying blubbering mess, I couldn't imagine not seeing her ever again and I would not give up on her. They went ahead with the surgery and I could visit her when she was awake, that was the longest night at "The Store" waiting to go back down the street to visit my baby girl after they closed. I visited her 2 more times the next day before I could bring her home the day after, for as long as I possibly could each time.
When I picked Zoe up from the ER she was back to her old self again trying to jump and energetic, likely because she finally felt healthy again mixed with her pain meds. It made me emotional to see her so happy and sad to think she was unnecessarily in pain and I didn't even know. I tried to make her quality of life the best I possibly could, we played with doggy friends, Aunties and Uncles came to visit, shared McDonald nuggets and fries with Mommy, spent time with her (human) grandparents and cousins and treats galore!
10 days later Zoe had that same look on her face the day I brought her into the vet and she couldn't even make it up the stairs. I sat in our stairwell panicking about what to do but looking at her eyes I knew I had to take her to the ER again. At the ER again, I learned Zoe had another bleed and even if she underwent another surgery or blood transfusion she would likely have another bleed within the week. It was time to say goodbye and I couldn't put her through this whole ordeal again. I'd given her the best last days I could and she seemed like she was in so much pain.
Zoe passed away on Monday, August 27, 2018 at Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital in Hollywood, CA. She was spoiled with chicken, tuna, baby and doggy food and died in her mommy's lap just like the day I took her home. I'm thankful to MASH for taking such good care of my "daughter" in her last days, it's hard to think about the cost when I can't even bear to think of Zoe never being home with me again but alas the vets, surgeons, vet techs, receptionists, all those who helped make Zoe feel comfortable and loved cost more than I can cover on my own at this time. I will update with numbers and more detailed info when I can but any help or shares are greatly appreciated. I never expected to fundraise but at this point I honestly don't know what to do. Thank you and much love from myself and Zoepup.
Zoe Dang's Emergency Vet Bills
Organizer
Cassie Dang
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA