Saving Tigger's Life After He's Saved Mine
Hi everybody. I'm here because my best friend, the love of my life, my partner in crime, is in a life-threatening emergency. Tigger, my beautiful 'Heinz 57' pup I rescued 8 years ago, who's been with me through thick and thin, is undergoing major surgery today. (If you don't have a lot of time or patience for reading, please scroll down to the bottom and check out 'Who is Tigger?'.)
WHAT HAPPENED: Sometime Sunday night he ate something he shouldn't have and has been trying to get it to come out ever since. (As a dog Mom, I am incredibly vigilant to keep anything potentially dangerous out of their reach. I've been scouring the house and yard to discover what he got. I haven't found any signs or remnants of anything. I promise you that I'm filled with regret and guilt. I'm supposed to protect him from anything bad, even if it's himself. And I failed. I'll never forgive myself for this.) He can't even keep down water.
After visiting the best vet in Vegas, Dr. George Anast at Sandy Hill A. H. and getting an x-ray, we discovered whatever it is got stuck in his stomach. The Doc administered a barium series and we all crossed our fingers and toes. And waited. And waited some more. Not for lack of trying, but he wasn't able to get that darn mystery object to move up or down.
PROGNOSIS: So the good Doc has had him on IV fluids and antibiotics in preparation for today's surgery. He's going under the knife this morning to have whatever this foreign body is removed and we're all hoping that he'll be back to normal before we know it.
ESTIMATED COSTS: The only thing is, it's estimated to cost around $2600. Many of you probably know but some of you might not, that believe it or not, that is actually a very fair price for this procedure. I had another dog that twenty years ago required this type of surgery and it cost $3,000. 20 years ago! For a doctor I worked for! So although the price may seem high it's actually not and he is worth every penny and then some to me.
But I just don't have it. In the past, my parents have come to the rescue so many times I've lost count. But my dad passed away earlier this year and because of that and other things I can't imagine asking my mom for anything right now. I've applied for loans, I've applied for assistance from several charitable organizations, I've applied for Care Credit and other similar products and I've asked a few close friends for loans of any amount with timelines of repayment included. So far I've got nothing to show for all the paperwork, emails, letters and humbling requests I've made. It's all happened so fast. I'm sure if I had more time I would be more successful but I have about as much time as I do money. AKA very little.
So here I am. Please read the following statement so that you can see how Tigger is so much more than my pet and rescuing him could very well save my life 100 times over.
REQUEST: Thank you so much for reading this and if you can find it in your heart to donate, that's fabulous. If you'd like to share this with your contacts, that would be wonderful, as well. I can use all the help I can get. I hope you all never have to experience this but I am grateful to have a platform that allows me to at least try. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.
WHO IS TIGGER?
Tigger is my world. He's my best friend. He's been with me through so much. He is incredibly sensitive. If I'm upset, crying or having severe anxiety, he won't leave my side, unless it's to gather up toys and leave them at my feet. (See photos.) He helps me calm down when I'm having bouts of depression or anxiety. He helps me keep a routine and have a reason to get out of bed when I'm having a hard time due to my issues.
Tigger is also my partner for fostering dogs. He has been willing to accept other dogs into the house whether it be for fostering or when I occasionally dog-sit for friends. These dogs have ranged from tiny 5 lbs to 70 lbs and he takes it all in stride. Some dogs he has shown how to play with toys for the first time. Some dogs he plays tag with and wrestles. He seems to have a way of knowing what each of them needs. We work with a local rescue organisation and have already fostered 5 different dogs, whom all got adopted into loving homes. (One being ours! Aka a foster "fail".)
When I traveled for work, he came with me. He even came to the jobsite with me and I called him my assistant manager. He would sit on top of his kennel, which I'd never seen before. That's when i started calling him my 'cat-dog'. He's even got 'stripes '! (Brindle coloring.) He's full of energy and love and boy is he smart!
I rescued him 8 years ago, as an early birthday present to myself. Incredibly, he had already been adopted and returned to the shelter three times! They only had a vague explanation stating he didn't like closed doors. (See photos.) When I brought him home he was very needy, experienced some separation anxiety and was scared of almost everything. It was a very long time before he would even let me leave the room without following me. But with patience, love, consistency and time we've come so far. I think no one wanted to take the time to understand him that he needed in the beginning and I'm so glad that I found him when I did.
He's the most intelligent dog I've ever known. I've gotten him several different types of puzzles and he figures them out faster than I could ever imagine. He also is very good at learning commands and incredibly focused on me... most of the time. When I worked as a dog trainer I would bring him in to show pet parents how far they can go and also to help with people that were unsure of themselves/fearful of dogs, and with dogs that lacked confidence or had been undersocialized. He has been amazing at everything!
Above all, he's brought so much joy and love to my life. That motivates me to find ways every day to add excitement, challenges and FUN to his. (Pretty incredible when you know how hard it is for me to find the motivation to shower or even get dressed, a lot of days.) Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Bethany