Help Poof the Dog After Being Attacked

Ruben Vernier is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi there, my name is Ruben, and I'm urgently fundraising to help get my attacked dog Poof through physical therapy, lower his surgery/medical bills, and buy supplies for his new lifestyle. (See his medical bills below)

On Thursday, March 3rd, Poof was playing with a handful of other smaller, off-leash dogs when a much larger rescue dog that was being trained was let off-leash to interact with Poof and the other dogs. They were fine in the initial greeting, but then the big dog attacked Poof- chasing him, then biting down on Poof, jerking him around like a ragdoll and puncturing both sides of his torso. Before we could free Poof, the big dog broke seven ribs and collapsed Poof's left lung, fractured and displaced his 12th and 13th vertebrae in his spine, gave him a concussion, and induced bruises all over his body.

After we freed Poof from the dog's grip, Poof turned all grey, his eyes rolled back, and he stopped breathing. The rescue volunteer working with the big dog instructed/helped me pump his little chest and perform CPR on Poof and he sprung back to life. Then the rescue volunteer kept him breathing in the backseat of my car while I rushed us to the Vet ER where they stabilized him.

Since then, Poof had successful spinal surgery to stabilize his 12th/13th vertebrae and had extensive, round-the-clock care at the Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital in Hollywood. They released him to me on Friday, March 11th.

Poof is recovering at home now, and though he cannot currently walk or use his hind legs, he is getting stronger, more stabilized, and more lively every day. He requires 24/7 care right now, with leg massages/movement, hand feeding, cleaning after he pees/poos, expressing his bladder, rotating what side he lays on, and taking five different medications. We haven't gotten much sleep, but we are very optimistic and very determined!

Between the first hospital that saved his life and the second hospital that performed his surgery, his medical bills are already STAGGERING and he still needs checkups, physical therapy, food, supplies, and I need to have the time to take care of him.

I've had Poof since he was three months old and fit in the palm of my hand. He is more than just a "pet"; he is family to me and those close to Poof feel the same. He’s my son. My animal counterpart. My boy. My adventure buddy and travel companion.

So I'm asking if you could PLEASE help me help my little Poof to get him back to 100, fully recovered, and strong. Poof needs donations to stay on top of all costs as soon as possible.

The medical bills thus far (that you can also see in the photos) are:

Truecare: $3,136.00

MASH: $19,974.41