Hello!

My name is Tina, I’m a single mom of 3 cats and 1 dog, Teddy!!

I rescued all of the animals I have adopted including Teddy, who was found starved and abandoned in a snowbank before even reaching 3 months old.

The privately owned rescue I adopted Teddy from promised he’d be fully vaccinated and checked by vets before being released to my care.

The first night home, I noticed he had fleas which were quickly and easily treated, although it raised my suspicion over the status of his preventative treatments. After 2 months of back-and-forth between the Rescue and their vet, it was revealed in Teddy’s medical records that he had only ever received a single booster shot before being released to my care with the vet explaining that they don’t administer certain vaccinations such as the rabies vaccine to dogs under 3 months. Not only was this the case but Teddy was born with an umbilical hernia that was also not addressed or noted by his previous vet; the only note being that the rescuers needed to be in-and-out of his appointment.

Teddy’s adoption fee was upwards of $700 which was explained to cover the money that would have gone to his medical expenses although I find myself covering this all now. When I addressed the Rescue about the situation from a place of concern, they first denied it saying the vet messed up his records, then accused me of being “mean” and inferring that they don’t take care of their dogs followed by a block from their page. Not only did the Rescue not take accountability for their oversight regarding Teddy’s health, I’m now stuck with vet bills I was not prepared for.

So now you might think “ok Tina you knew there would be costs involved with his upkeep and pets are an investment” which I agree with but let me tell you why I decided now was the time to get a dog.

TRIGGER WARNING: domestic violence, S.A.

Going back, I’ve always loved animals. I had my family dog at home but as soon as I moved out, I adopted a mouse on Kijiji and took him with me to my first apartment which I moved into during the pandemic right after a breakup. I felt so alone but hearing my mouse running around his cage would always bring me comfort. My next pet was a stray cat that I found in my backyard with the help my of abusive ex. After suffering through an abusive relationship and having been abducted and sexually assaulted after running away from a physical fight with my ex, I was left deeply traumatized so much so that it impacted my career and mental health to levels I could never have imagined.

I’ve lost multiple job positions due to my panic attacks impeding on my work. I require sleep medication to sleep through nightly nightmares which has most greatly impacted my health. It had become increasingly difficult to just wake up in the morning and even more so to be inspired to eat or leave the house.

That’s when I met Teddy and decided he could help me change my life. He gave me a reason to wake up, go outside, meet people, wash myself, feed myself, and be myself. I couldn’t imagine a better reason to be alive than being the protector and guardian of such a sweet pup.

I’m already in debt from bouts of joblessness and depression. It would mean the world to me if you, the person reading this, friend or stranger, would be generous enough to help me recover from this financially straining time now that Teddy has all of his vaccinations and is recovering from his neuter/umbilical hernia repair. I’m looking at a total bill of about $2000.

I pray that good karma and faith will protect Teddy and I.

Love to all,

Tina and Teddy