Nana Needs a Dog House

I was on the phone one day with my friend who told me, “John’s back in town. His little dog died.” Naturally, I called him to offer my condolences and invite him over. He had been out on the road for just about a year.

While he was visiting, he told me the heartbreaking news that ‘Edward’ starting having seizures and he tragically passed shortly afterwards. It was so sad.

I had been working at a pet store for 5 1/2 years and had also been in my current apartment for the same amount of time. I explained to John that my wages had not increased and my boss told me he couldn’t afford to give me a raise. In the meantime, my rent continued to increase by $50 a year and I could not afford my rent any longer. I also gained a dog by every year I was at the store and now had 6 in a 1 bdrm apt that had a 2 dog limit. It was time to change professions.

He invited me to move in with him out to his 6 acres in the country and we could split the bills which was significantly lower for me. It was a good arrangement for us both and I think he enjoyed having all the dogs around.

It was February, and puppies were born across the street the day I moved in. We got a new puppy, John got another trucking job and I went to work as security. Everything seemed to be going well.

In June, John was driving truck across country and started having coughing fits that would cause him to black out and his left arm would shake uncontrollably. We went to the doctors and discovered he had slipped disc’s and needed back surgery. This would be his third back operation. No surprise there. We went to the neurologist and his appointment for surgery wouldn’t be until end of August.

In July it started raining. It rained and rained and by August the entire town and surrounding towns were under 3 feet of standing toxic water. Then John fell in the bathroom and I had to call 911. He was totally incoherent. They had to bring in a big truck to get him because the ambulance couldn’t make it in for all the water. I was unable to follow in my car.

That’s is when they found the brain cancer that had spread up from his lungs. He opted out of treatment and they gave him 6 months. The doctor wouldn’t let him come home because of all the water. John had to stay in the hospital and was later moved into hospice. The water didn’t recede until December, John died in January so he never got to return to his home.

This time had been extremely stressful for me and I had stopped taking care of myself. I was trying to see John, get supplies into the house, keep the mold down and work. I don’t know how much weight I lost but I went from a size 14 to 0 in a matter of months and I lost my immunity…so…I got COVID. I thought I was going to die. Shortly after that I had 5 heart attacks in 2 weeks, myocarditis. Then I got shingles…twice!

That was almost 2 years ago. I’m still living at John’s house. His son came down and got what he wanted but he didn’t want the home. It’s a 30+ year old mobile home with no A/C or heat. Half the electric sockets and lights don’t work. It needs a new drain field and septic system, the bedroom door fell off but I’ve been living here and making it work as best I can for the sake of the dogs. I have 5 now as I just lost ‘my little man’ in October and Olivia went over the rainbow last August.

August 26th, Hurricane Idalia Cat 4 ripped through Horseshoe Bay, 38 miles from my home and then proceeded to pass over top of me. Of course, we were all without power for some time but the county did their best. There are limbs and branches still down all over the property but they want $500 to clean it up.

I recently received a letter from the home owners insurance that the policy was going to be cancelled 12-31-2023 because there was no flood insurance. I cannot buy any because my name is not on this property. In fact, I’m squatting although I have been continuing to pay the mortgage all this time.

I have been working as a security guard quite steadily and managed to save up quite a bit that I was planning on using as a down. I decided to go to school to upgrade my position at work and last day I was in a car accident that totaled my car. I contemplated buying a car from a private individual but then the boy at Dollar General told me he bought a truck for 2K and has since poured 6K into it and I knew living in the middle of nowhere I couldn’t have a vehicle that was broke down, I need to be able to get to work which is an hour away. I ended up with a 2021 Mitsubishi stick for 11K which knocked by savings down to being able to pay closing and moving costs, no down. I am approved for the down payment assistance program through SHIP but that has been months and months ago. When I called them, they said they had no funding and I would be contacted if they ever got it.

Well, it’s November and I’ve got 2 months ‘til the insurance is dropped. Once the bank finds out they will put their expensive insurance in place and I cannot afford that so I guess I’ll have until about March or April before I’m put out. I never informed them of John’s passing.

I’m asking you to me to help with a down payment on a home. I would like to be able to purchase a small home in the country for me, my dogs and my chickens. Preferably within an hour of Gainesville. I need to keep costs down as much as possible. Rural areas have lower taxes. I’m just turned 69 and I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to work so I need to think of my future.

I don’t like asking for help. It’s not been easy going through 2 natural disasters, losing my last best friend, losing my 2 babies, suffering various illnesses, and a car wreck in a 2 year period and now I’m facing an upcoming eviction. Everyone has passed away and I’m the last one standing out of all my family and friends.

I’m in good health now. I eat organic, take my supplements and exercise almost every day. I’ve gained back ¾ of my weight. Who am I? Just a lady that loves animals. I’ve worked with animals my whole life. I’ve worked at a vet’s office, kennel, pet stores, and the zoo. I’ve professionally trained dogs, bred dogs, babysat pets of all kinds. I love to go to animal shows. We got a lot of 4-H out here. I enjoy cooking for my dogs, gardening and hobby prepping. I’d love to do a little homesteading.

I promise you, no matter what, I will continue to be there for those who cannot speak for themselves and I will always take in the unwanted strays.