Save Diamond - Louis' service dog
Donation protected
Louis Anderson is a Marine veteran who was injured in Iraq. He is a paraplegic, and because of multiple surgeries on his elbows and right shoulder, must use a power wheelchair to get around. Above, he is pictured standing on his leg braces, leaning against his chair with his service dog, Diamond. She was poisoned last week by someone while she was in the yard with our family's other dogs.
The poison was found on Thursday, September 20th. All of the dogs seemed fine at first, but it is a slow acting rat poison that causes internal bleeding. A week later, the other dogs are showing some signs of trouble, but Diamond is fighting for her life. Two of the other dogs ("Muffin" a Husky rescue 9 years ago & "Roy" a blind rescue Pibble), are being treated at home with medication for 4 weeks. The other, "Stanley" the Pug, is now hospitalized for observation due to anemia & possible internal bleeding.
On Saturday, September 21st Louis suffered a minor stroke that severely affected the left side of his body, although some use is returning at this point. He needs his service dog - she is more than a "pet" - she is his independence. She makes it possible for him to lead as "normal" a life as he can, allowing him to travel and do things he would not be able to do without her.
She is currently at the Animal Emergency and Specialty Center located at 10213 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922. Their phone number is [phone redacted] and they are open 24/7. The next couple of days are crucial. We spoke with the vet again about 3:00 am on Saturday, September 27th. They told us that Diamond is not doing well at all. Her fever rose to 106, she still has a breathing tube, and is on a ventilator. Understandably, there is a limit as to how much the vet is willing to do without being certain they will get paid.
We have emptied our bank accounts, and I have borrowed what money I could. Louis won't get paid by the VA until October 1st, but these bills are staggering, and we need the money now. If you can donate anything, it would be greatly appreciated. You can call the vet directly, or go through this website.
We are desperate at this point. If everyone who reads this could give just a little, it would help us to continue the fight to save Diamond's life.
We are grateful for anything you can do, regardless of how much it is. If you know anything about how difficult it is to get a service dog and have it trained, you know how valuable these animals are. She is a major part of Louis's life and she is very much needed.
Please feel free to share this in whatever ways you can.
Thanks again.
The poison was found on Thursday, September 20th. All of the dogs seemed fine at first, but it is a slow acting rat poison that causes internal bleeding. A week later, the other dogs are showing some signs of trouble, but Diamond is fighting for her life. Two of the other dogs ("Muffin" a Husky rescue 9 years ago & "Roy" a blind rescue Pibble), are being treated at home with medication for 4 weeks. The other, "Stanley" the Pug, is now hospitalized for observation due to anemia & possible internal bleeding.
On Saturday, September 21st Louis suffered a minor stroke that severely affected the left side of his body, although some use is returning at this point. He needs his service dog - she is more than a "pet" - she is his independence. She makes it possible for him to lead as "normal" a life as he can, allowing him to travel and do things he would not be able to do without her.
She is currently at the Animal Emergency and Specialty Center located at 10213 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922. Their phone number is [phone redacted] and they are open 24/7. The next couple of days are crucial. We spoke with the vet again about 3:00 am on Saturday, September 27th. They told us that Diamond is not doing well at all. Her fever rose to 106, she still has a breathing tube, and is on a ventilator. Understandably, there is a limit as to how much the vet is willing to do without being certain they will get paid.
We have emptied our bank accounts, and I have borrowed what money I could. Louis won't get paid by the VA until October 1st, but these bills are staggering, and we need the money now. If you can donate anything, it would be greatly appreciated. You can call the vet directly, or go through this website.
We are desperate at this point. If everyone who reads this could give just a little, it would help us to continue the fight to save Diamond's life.
We are grateful for anything you can do, regardless of how much it is. If you know anything about how difficult it is to get a service dog and have it trained, you know how valuable these animals are. She is a major part of Louis's life and she is very much needed.
Please feel free to share this in whatever ways you can.
Thanks again.
Organizer
Tina Anderson
Organizer
Johnson City, TN
