Dear Friends & Animal Lovers,

I'm reaching out to ask for your support for Joey - our cherished rescue dog who has become an inseparable part of our family. Joey recently had a medical crisis requiring emergency surgery. While the health crisis thankfully is resolved, the financial aftermath lingers and we humbly ask for your help to lighten the load.

I'm Sarah, a single mother and full-time professional in the human services field. After the loss of my beloved Lacey to cancer in 2020, I knew that when the time was right, another dog would find its way into our lives. In Fall 2022, Joey came to us through a friend's plea for help—a young dog in need of a stable home and a fresh beginning.

When Joey entered our home, he brought with him the challenges of his past manifested in severe anxiety-driven behaviors. Destructive tendencies, leash issues, and a fear of car rides were just a few of the hurdles we faced. With lots of love and hard work, Joey has come a long way and blossomed into a joyful, confident companion who lights up our days.

A few weeks ago, our path took an unexpected turn. Joey's battle with "pica" (compulsively eating non-food items, in his case clothing) led to a medical emergency. Vomiting, bile, and growing distress signaled something serious. An emergency clinic visit unveiled a significant stomach and intestinal blockage requiring urgent surgery that could not be delayed past the weekend. The surgery cost was projected to be $5,000, on top of the already substantial expenses of his medical workup.

The cost was more than I could easily manage. Facing this financial hurdle, the vet presented me with a difficult choice: surrender Joey for adoption or cover the expense up-front. Despite the hardship, I could not bear the thought of parting with Joey and making him start over with another unknown family after how far he had come.

So Joey underwent emergency surgery. The procedure ended up being much more extensive than we anticipated, requiring three interventions to remove the blockage. The cost exceeded $7,000.

Although the surgery was a success, Joey had complications during recovery. He wouldn't eat or drink, was lethargic, and had excessive drainage from his incision. He turned out to have an infection at the surgical site. Thankfully we were able to treat it, but it brought an additional $350 in bills.

All in all, Joey's path to recovery added up to over $8,000. I pooled resources, utilized CareCredit, and received generous donations from friends, totaling about $1,250. He is now happy and healthy with the surgery behind him, but the financial weight of this ordeal remains. This experience underscores my need for pet insurance; however, even those monthly premiums are beyond reach as I work to address the debt accrued from his emergency medical care. I'm looking for extra part-time work to help cover these bills.

Your Support Makes a Difference: I'm humbly asking for your assistance to help pay down Joey's medical debt. Your contribution, no matter the size, will help alleviate the financial burden we bear.

How You Can Help:

• Click "Donate Now" to contribute securely online.

• Share Joey's story on social media to extend our reach.

Thank you for considering our story and extending your support. Your kindness means the world to us and is greatly appreciated.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Sarah, Scarlett, and Joey