Retired Black Diamond Police K9 Medical Assistance

In 2006, after being a Police Officer for 9 years, I was given the once in a lifetime opportunity to become the City of Black Diamond’s very first K9 handler.  Sabre, a 1 year old black Labrador Retriever was rescued from a local humane society.  He was trained to detect the odor of illegal drugs that were commonly hidden in buildings and vehicles.  For 7 incredible years, we worked together as a narcotics detection K9 team to fight the war on drugs as well as provide the community with the professional service they deserved.   On December 31, 2012, Sabre retired from the Black Diamond Police Department after a very lucrative career.  He has lived with myself, my wife and our two daughters ever since. 

 
In February 2019, my family and I found out that Sabre had diabetes.  Due to his diabetes, he began to form diabetic cataracts.  Merely 5 months later, Sabre became completely blind.  For the first time in his special life, his spirit had been broken and he lost the desire to do anything.  My heart ached for him.  My entire family was devastated.  My wife and I  knew this was unacceptable and we had to give him his sight back.  He gave 7 years of his life to serving his community and it was time for us to return the favor during his golden years.  I could only imagine what he was thinking when one day he woke up and everything was black.  He spent every day waiting for the lights to be turned back on, and it never happened. 


I immediately contacted the Valley Retired Police Dog Association, a non-profit organization that Sabre and I belonged to when we were working as partners.  This incredible organization was created to assist K9 handlers with medical expenses after their dogs retire from law enforcement.  With no hesitation, the Valley Retired Police Dog Association agreed to pay for Sabre to have both of his cataracts removed.  A month later, Sabre received the cataract surgery and was given the gift of his sight back.  I will never forget the exact moment when my wife and I picked him up from the eye clinic.  He ran directly to me from across the waiting room.  He knocked me over and licked my face.  This was the first time he has seen me in many months.  I cried like a baby knowing that my special guy could see again.  The lights were finally turned back on!  


Unfortunately, two weeks after the surgery, Sabre had complications to the cataract surgery and developed glaucoma in both of his eyes.  He had to have a second emergency surgery to have valves installed in both of his eyes in order to relieve eye pressure that was beginning to take his sight away from him again.  Without any hesitation, the Valley Retired Police Dog Association agreed to pay for the emergency eye surgery.  The surgery was a success and Sabre’s sight was saved. 


My wife and I were informed by the eye specialist that Sabre would need to be evaluated in the clinic often to make sure that he is not having any complications after both surgeries.  We were also informed that Sabre would need to receive glaucoma medication in the form of eye drops numerous times a day for the rest of his life.  Needless to say, our furry friend’s eyesight was more important to us than wondering how we were going to pay for expensive clinic visits and monthly medication.


The Valley Retired Police Dog Association was there for me when I needed them the most.  The organization is limited with their funds and many other retired handlers need to rely on the same exceptional service for their dog’s medical needs.  Therefore, we are hoping to find help from our family, friends and community to contribute to Sabre’s ongoing medical expenses.  Currently, each post operative weekly eye examination will cost $250.00.  His medications will cost $1,100.00 per month.  Also, we have been informed that the valves surgically installed in his two eyes will need to be replaced anywhere between 2 months and 1 year.  This is due to  scar tissue forming around the incision sites.  The cost to replace the valves is $4,500.00.  In conclusion, the average monthly expense to allow Sabre to keep his eyesight is approximately $1,350.00 per month, not to include a future valve replacement.


ALL donations will be used to pay for Sabre’s continued eye care examinations, lifelong monthly medication expenses and future surgical valve replacement.  When the unfortunate day arrives when Sabre is no longer with us, all of the remaining funds in the account will be donated to the Valley Retired Police Dog Association. 


My family and I thank each and every one of you for supporting our best friend...