Help with the Costs for Gilbert to Walk Again!

***Update 5.18.24

I have made the bold and scary decision to jump into enormous debt for someone with little to no income and scheduled Gilbert to have spinal surgery this upcoming Thursday the 23rd with the amazing and awesome Dr. Philip Schissler at www.vetneurocenter.com down in Tustin, CA!

As some of you many know, I am not able to drive long distances or freeways because of my own disabilities (CFS/ME) (Overstimulation of my nervous system with the many factors of driving, and overwhelming fatigue limit my driving) But my mama, who at 70 still shows up for me when I need her, drove Gilbert and I down a few weeks ago for a consultation with Dr. Schissler. At the time because Gilbert has a small ability to walk (VERY limited, I carry him mostly everywhere and he only has one brief period during the day he walks to go potty and the rest of the day I carry him and he has to wear a diaper.) we decided to try physical therapy and losing weight, because surgery posed a 20% risk to make a walking dog worse. However since we came home Gilbert had deteriorated, and I knew I had to get him the surgery, because even though he is a senior, Gilbert has so much spunk in him when he's not sleeping all day! lol And what I love so much about Gilbert is his ability to cheer me up at any moment with his sheer happiness and good attitude. He simply has this way about him that you just can't NOT be Happy around him.

I also began browsing Craigslist for gigs to pick up odd jobs as a means to pay for the cost of Gilberts bills. (On disability I am allowed to earn up to a certain amount without disqualifying for my benefits, and this lets me find opportunities that are within my abilities) Tonight, I get to be paid to sleep in a sleep study, which is pretty cool!

In addition to odd jobs, I am studying to take my notary and loan officer exam to become a traveling notary. This will allow the flexibility I need hopefully for the unpredictability of CFS/ME?MCAS and bring in some additional income to help pay the cost of the month Care Credit bill, which is how I am financing the surgery.

Right now I have 3k on care credit, and the surgery is estimated to be between 9-13k depending on if the ruptured discs are in his back and neck, or just his back. Either way, I can't wait to see Gilbert HAPPY again and to see his Goofy Smile, and his pure energy of joy that always makes me feel good even on my bad days. He derserves it, hes gone through so much in life, already living through the trauma of abuse, and then homelessness living as a stray with a broken leg for an extended period of time, and then having to go through an amputation and learning to trust. Which took us a LONG time. but he got there! He went from biting everybody, to being such a lover, although sorry mom and dad, he still bites them! lol But he truly is the sweetest boy!

If you can help with donating, that would be wonderful, and if not we would REALLY appreciate if you can share to your socials! That helps so much to get visibility, and Gilbert seen by fresh eyes.

and of course THANK YOU THANK YOU to everyone who has donated, helped, loved, taken care of, watched, Gilbert, and my wonderful neighbors who watch Tuna, I truly appreciate you ALL!! <3 Lauren, Gilbert and Tuna

Hi Friends, Family and Maybe Friends I haven’t met yet.

This is excruciating and humbling to have to be in a position to be asking for help once again.

Please know I have also prepared to apply for several grants from different organizations once Gilbert gets evaluated by a neurologist, but I cannot apply for them until he is evaluated and a treatment plan is determined and these organizations have thousands of people applying and are limited/capped in costs.

Gilbert has cervical disc disease. He got excited his mommy came home and in his excitement he lept off the couch and injured his back. However after 3 vet visits, and ALL the medications he could be on, Gilbert is not improving after 2 weeks and is showing signs of regression and is suffering greatly.

I tried to get him seen by a Neurologist at the ER, but they were not on staff over the weekend, so I will be trying tomorrow. I am hoping I can get him seen by neurologist through the ER tomorrow. The nuero will want to do an MRI that is 4k. Unfortunately, I am on SSDI, with my own medical bills that I am overwhelmed with and needing my own assistance with. I guarantee you I provide the BEST care this dog could have despite not being able to afford expensive medical care. I take him to the vet when he is ill, make sure he gets any and ALL medications necessary to ease his pain and discomfort. I carry him, monitor him, love on him and am trying to get him help if there is a possibility that surgery can save his life. Otherwise Gilbert is facing euthanasia due to the severity of his injury and the suffering he has been in.

I am asking for help in raising additional money to pay for the MRI tomorrow so I can know if he surgery is a possibility for him.

Please if you can help I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I hate to be in this position, but I also want to do everything I can to save Gilbert if its a possibility.

Thank you, Lauren, Tuna and Gilbert