Link the Linkster's Surgery Fund

Link is a 1 year 4 month old  fluff ball who happens to be the best thing that's ever happened to me. Recently, I almost lost him. 

On November 6, 2018, after suddenly seeing blood in his urine,  we rushed Link to the VCA South Shore Animal Hospital. He was diagnosed with severe crystal build-up in his urethra and bladder-- a potential life-threatening scenario. 

While he was in the hospital, I received a 3am urgent phone call from the vet. Link wasn't doing well and the placement of the catheter didn't work.  My choices were: to do an urgent surgery for ~6,500$, continue to place and replace catheters, or put him down. Panicked, I asked as many questions I could think of before calling on the advice of whoever I could reach. Terrified and alone, I had to make a choice ASAP.

The vet stressed that a lot of people in my situation would put him down. After all, I'm a 27 year-old millennial with $200,000 worth of student debt, little savings, and I'm just getting by.  Already I'm destined to pay the government for the rest of my life and postpone any future I want to have. It's the life of my generation and based on those in my situation,  my decision should have been to put Link down. I couldn't. 

How could I take his life away without trying to get him help. He's the only one who loves me more than himself.  And the surgery would have a 90% chance to provide him a long life with a healthy urinary track.

I couldn't take his life away. Even if I didn't have the money.

So, in the midst of a mental break down, I gave the OK to proceed with the surgery. The total was more than all the money in my bank account. I took this out on credit that I cannot pay but I'm hopeful that the world is good and we can find a way.  

**With your support I can do this. WE CAN DO THIS. We will prove his life was worth saving. **

Thank you. 

Thank you.

Thank you. 

Your donation will go towards medical expenses, including:
-Perineal urethrostomy surgery
-Two days of hospitalization
-Monitoring and care
-IV fluids
-Examinations including abdominal views and an emergency exam
-Medications for pain management, anesthesia, anti-nausea, urinary retention, sedation, etc
-Urine and blood tests
-Recovery materials: pellet litter, gauze pads, and sanitation wipes
-Medicated wet and dry food 
-Check-up

What you can expect from us:
-Continuous updates
-Pictures of Link during his recovery
-Artwork featuring Link at his silliest 

About Link the Linkster:
Link is one of a four part team called Team Groot, featuring his Mom (Annemarie), Aunt (Jaliza), and Dad (Mat). Link is the leader, of course, and the mascot. He takes pride in guarding the apartment from invading squirrels and tracks down spiders from the darkest parts of the living room. By night he raids the sink for lost morsels of food and by day he naps by the windowsill, waiting for Mom to come home. One of Link's favorite foods is salmon, although he enjoys a good chicken liver canned food and goes wild if Mom boils up some shrimp.

Fact: He's named after one-half of the YouTube duo, Rhett and Link, and he's the best friend I could ever ask for.  Love you Link!