Fox was adopted from Tracy, CA (about 2 hours north of San Francisco) on February 23, 2022. Based on his dental condition, he was initially estimated to be 2 to 4 years old, but subsequent vet visits revealed he was only about 1 year old at the time. Fox has been diagnosed with enamel dysplasia, a condition that causes his teeth to wear down quickly and become discolored. His four canine fangs had to be removed, and more teeth will likely require attention soon.

In addition to his dental issues, Fox has neurological challenges and is blind, which requires extra care and special attention. Shortly after adopting him, Kristy consulted neurologists and behaviorists to learn how best to care for him. Six months later, Kristy and Fox relocated to Nashville, where they planned to stay long-term, but after just 10 months, the landlord sold the house. They then moved to Germany to live with family, but that arrangement fell through, leading them to the UK in June, where Kristy was eligible for citizenship. After a lot of time, money, and paperwork, Kristy recently received her UK citizenship — though with her name misspelled, requiring more paperwork before she could begin her job search.

After navigating unexpected moves and medical expenses, and with Kristy unable to legally work until about a week ago, funds have become limited. Now, Fox faces a new, urgent medical issue that requires immediate, costly surgery. The vet in Liverpool was uncomfortable treating him, so he's currently receiving care in London.

From the London vet:

"Fox's condition is indicative of a salivary mucocoele (or sialocoele), an accumulation of saliva around a salivary gland. This is typically caused by trauma and rarely resolves on its own. Surgical correction is often necessary. While the swelling can be drained, it tends to refill quickly. I am concerned that the swelling is in a location that could affect his swallowing or breathing if it grows too large. He’s also shown signs of pain when yawning."

This GoFundMe is to help cover the costs of Fox’s surgery and care, a week of recovery in an Airbnb near the vet, train fare between Liverpool and London, medication, follow-up visits, and food for both Kristy and Fox.

Kristy's thoughts on Fox:

Fox loves meeting people and often stops strangers in their tracks. He brings joy to everyone he meets, many of whom are unaware of his blindness. This year, he’s made friends from around the world and is only 4 years old, so he has so many more to meet. His eyes are healthy, but his brain doesn’t process visual information—he can sense light but not shapes. This causes other dogs to perceive him as a threat, which has led to some fearful reactions. While he’s nervous around other dogs because of his blindness, he’s well-behaved and doesn’t pose a threat.

Fox enjoys exploring and smelling as much as possible—it's vital for him, more so than for most dogs.

I am Fox’s guide. We use a lot of verbal cues—'step up,' 'step down,' 'watch,' 'wait,' 'let’s go,' 'cross'—which help him navigate the world despite his blindness. These practices have also helped me slow down and become more aware of my surroundings, making sure Fox is comfortable and safe. It can be challenging some days, but it’s incredibly rewarding, and I’m not alone in this journey, even in a new country.

Pet medical expenses can be overwhelming for anyone, but the added complication of being in a new country and unable to work make things even more difficult for Fox and Kristy. This delays her ability to work until after Fox is fully recovered.

The goal is based on estimates from the vet and the middle range of the surgery total. They will not know the extent of surgery until they are in there. If by luck there are any funds leftover they will be placed in an account to be used towards Fox's inevitable dental procedure. They are unable to do both at once due to cross contamination issues. This goal is in USD which why might seem high to some. It comes out to just short of 7,000 GBP

We thank you so very much for any help you can give. This has been a hard thing to ask for help. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Kristy & Fox

@goodboyfoxmulder