Peanut and Kim Need Help!

Peanut is my best friend. She was rescued from a very bad situation and I adopted her a year and a half ago. No one knew how old she was or what kind of dog or even much about where she came from.  But when I met her, I immediately saw something in her eyes and knew she and I needed each other. When we first got her, it was clear she had been through some serious trauma.  She was very timid, sweet, but liked her space, and scared of a lot of things. She spent a lot of time lying around and had a lot of health issues at first.  A lot of time and money and most of all love was put into her. And after about a year, the changes were incredible. Now Peanut is insanely sweet and cuddly and is super attached to me. She is a sweetheart with pretty much everyone, and readily goes up to strangers for pets. She gets into trouble and tries to eat everything. Pretty much a regular, happy dog now. And so much more energy and no more health problems! An amazing transformation.

Her one trigger all along has been other dogs, particularly small white dogs. I have no idea why, but we figured that out right away and learned how to be responsible, alert and in control with her. And for the most part I feel very comfortable handling her and I take her everywhere: camping, out to eat, on hikes and long walks. We just avoid dog parks and it's fine. 

Unfortunately, about a week and a half ago, while she and I were camping in Joshua Tree, I let my guard down for just a minute while I was grabbing something out of my tent, and in that very moment a small white dog walked by and Peanut attacked. When this happens it's as if she turns into a completely different dog. A killer. And it shatters my heart because I know it's not who she is. I know it's a result of bad humans. And as a human I feel responsible to take care of her and protect her. When I first got her I was going through a difficult time myself and spent a lot of time lying around, petting her and looking into her sad eyes. One day I promised her I would never give up on her. And I intend to keep that promise.

The dog was hurt pretty bad, I feel so awful. Obviously it was my fault so I have accepted all financial responsibility. After two surgeries, the bills total nearly $5000, and there may be another surgery to come. I do not have this money. I thought long and hard about asking family and friends for help; at first I didn't want to because I see this situation as my fault, my problem. But I can't do this on my own. I need support. My goal is low all things considered, I intend to come up with the rest myself, I have a few plans in the works. 

Anything you can give would help and mean so much to me! Adopting a rescue animal is way harder than I thought it would be. But I wouldn't change it for the world because the amount of love she gives me is greater and purer than I've felt from any human. And as a single woman who lives alone in a big city far from family, that's everything.

Thank you thank you thank you!!

Love, 
Kim and Peanut