Buster's Medical Expenses

Hello friends. Eight years ago I adopted and assumed responsibility for the life of my beloved pitbull Buster. We are currently facing our biggest challenge. Two weeks ago today I took Buster to the vet for what I thought was going to be a rather innocuous visit, instead the rug was swept right out from under me. The diagnosis was renal failure, and the prognosis wasn't good. Like, at all. A sonogram discovered his kidney was shot, fluid treatments were started immedeately, he was hospitalized for what I think was the most grueling five days of my life to date. Vets started talking to me about end of life care, I called my loved ones crying, certain I would never see my boy Buster again...it was this whole awful thing that I wouldn't wish on my least favorite human alive.

Then a funny thing happened while Buster was hospitalized; the vets were exposed to his indefatigable, stubborn will. Oh, his kidney was shot, there was no question about that, but the vets marveled at how well he was taking it. It was unheard of, they told me, that he was not only eating, he was wagging his freaking tail and acting like there was nothing wrong with him! They wanted to keep him longer but it was no longer financially possible, and, since his kidney values weren't getting better, they released him to my care while he could still enjoy his life.

It's been a struggle. He's no longer the dog I'm used to. Much of his spark is gone. Feeding him can be an adventure with often frustrating (lack of) results. I wake up every day dreading that it's going to be Buster's last. And every day he surprises me. Every day he shows me something that makes me believe that maybe, just maybe, he can fight his way through this. (You guys shoulda seen him at the Wissahickon yesterday, he was all like, "what renal failure? I'm chasing that squirrel!") The aftercare vets certainly aren't ready to give up on him, and they're going out of their way to help us, some even donating their personal time and resources to do whatever they can to see us through this. I've actually been very fortunate to have so many awesome people on my side, and I can't thank the staff at Fishtown Animal Hospital enough. 

Here's where I need your help. So far, in the past two weeks, trying to save Buster's life has run me north of $4,200. I...don't have that kind of money. In fact, this whole fiasco went down the VERY NEXT DAY after I'd gotten back from vacation, and funds were already tight. To pay for all this I've had to pull in every favor imaginable, agree to sell possessions I thought were invaluable, borrow, bargain, you name it. And while I'd gladly work every day from now until the end of whenever to be able to afford to make this happen, the fact remains that I also have to spend a lot of time at home caring for the dog. I've never been a fan of GoFundMe, but many of my friends suggested it would be a perfect platform for my current situation. I've set the goal at a modest $2,000, which should help me cover some of the debt I dug myself in and help me get the fluids, medication and special food I need for Buster going forward. I don't know that it'll be enough to save his life, but as long as he's showing me that he's able to enjoy himself I owe him every opportunity to make it. It's the least I could do for an old friend. Thank you all in advance.