Gypsy's Veterinary Care Fund
Donation protected
Eleven years ago, when I was only 16 years old, my family moved to a new state where I knew nobody. I had no friends and was uncertain about my future. At the time I suffered from a lot of depression and loneliness. I felt so out of place and I really struggled to find anywhere that I felt I could fit in. But then I met my very best friend: a tiny scruffy black and tan puppy that I named Gypsy.
If you guys know me at all you know how much this dog means to me. She has been a constant in my life, which has been full of transitions, turmoil and triumphs. I don't know what I would do without my Gypsy Girl by my side. Her steadfast loyalty, gentleness and unconditional love have given me more courage than I ever could have muster up on my own. She has given me so much and has asked for nothing in return, except for a pat on the head and a scratch on her back.
Gypsy is eleven years old now. She is indeed a senior dog. Her face is turning white. Her "old lady jowls" are hanging lower than before. If you look into her eyes, you will see a faint milky cloud, but it does nothing to hide the love and admiration that she has always had when looking back into my eyes. Even though she is older now, she is far from over. She still runs around the living room with her plush toys, shaking them, squeaking them and then asking me to throw them, just like when she was a puppy. She still loves her daily walks through the neighborhood and won't let me forget to take her on one (and if I do, boy does she know how to make me feel bad with those dewy brown puppy dog eyes). Sometimes I feel like she is even more youthful and joyful now in her old age than when she was a puppy.
Gypsy has always been such a healthy dog. She's got those great, diversified mutt genes that have played in her favor all these years. This past spring was our first major health hurdle we have ever encountered. A few tumors were found growing in her colon and on her liver. She had to have a very invasive surgery in order to remove these tumors. In that surgery the doctor had to break her pelvis in order to reach one of the tumors. Her pelvis was wired back together. Although it was a long road, Gypsy made an amazing recovery. Her vet calls her "Gypsy the Wonder Dog". She told me, "If Gypsy was a cat, she would have used up eight of her nine lives." Honestly, the veterinary team the worked on Gypsy were amazed at just how well she did.
That was over six months ago and Gypsy has been great ever since. That is until yesterday when I found a swollen mass on her abdomen, near her incision site which she was licking over and over again. This was immediate cause for concern and I called the vet right away. Today the vet examined her and the prognoses was positive but less than encouraging. Infection has set in, probably caused by the hardware left behind that was used to hold together Gypsy's pelvis. It is not life threatening at this point, but it is likely that she is going to need another surgery to remove the hardware that is causing the infection.
It is a relief to know that this is a treatable problem, and not cancer, as I feared it may be. But the cost of her treatment is more than I can afford. This is where you guys come in. I am currently in between jobs. My last job was seasonal and ended in September. I am searching for another job, while driving for Uber and doing freelance artwork. Finances are already tight. I am looking to return to college next fall, after an eight year hiatus, to get my bachelors degree in Wildlife Conservation. Of course, Gypsy will be going with me. If she couldn't come along, then I wouldn't even consider going. So naturally, her health and wellbeing come first in my book.
Guys, it takes a lot for me to ask for help like this. But I love this dog so much I am willing to swallow my pride and say, “Please, I need your help.” I spent almost $300 on vet bills today, which was money I had set aside for rent. There is a $200 culture that Gypsy still needed to have done today, but I could not afford to pay that. Coming up will be more tests, medications and eventually surgery. I can't do this alone. I need help.
To my personal friends and family. My birthday is this month. I will be 28 years old. If you were thinking of buying me a card and sending me a gift, please don't. Instead, please help me take care of my girl. In fact, that goes for Christmas too.
As an incentive, I will draw a personalized monochromatic digital pet portrait for anyone that donates $25 or more. These images will be for yours to keep and you can then print them onto canvas, pillows, mugs, even t-shirts.
I thank each and every one of you for your prayers and support. Please help me heal my Gypsy Girl. She is my best friend. THANK YOU.
If you guys know me at all you know how much this dog means to me. She has been a constant in my life, which has been full of transitions, turmoil and triumphs. I don't know what I would do without my Gypsy Girl by my side. Her steadfast loyalty, gentleness and unconditional love have given me more courage than I ever could have muster up on my own. She has given me so much and has asked for nothing in return, except for a pat on the head and a scratch on her back.
Gypsy is eleven years old now. She is indeed a senior dog. Her face is turning white. Her "old lady jowls" are hanging lower than before. If you look into her eyes, you will see a faint milky cloud, but it does nothing to hide the love and admiration that she has always had when looking back into my eyes. Even though she is older now, she is far from over. She still runs around the living room with her plush toys, shaking them, squeaking them and then asking me to throw them, just like when she was a puppy. She still loves her daily walks through the neighborhood and won't let me forget to take her on one (and if I do, boy does she know how to make me feel bad with those dewy brown puppy dog eyes). Sometimes I feel like she is even more youthful and joyful now in her old age than when she was a puppy.
Gypsy has always been such a healthy dog. She's got those great, diversified mutt genes that have played in her favor all these years. This past spring was our first major health hurdle we have ever encountered. A few tumors were found growing in her colon and on her liver. She had to have a very invasive surgery in order to remove these tumors. In that surgery the doctor had to break her pelvis in order to reach one of the tumors. Her pelvis was wired back together. Although it was a long road, Gypsy made an amazing recovery. Her vet calls her "Gypsy the Wonder Dog". She told me, "If Gypsy was a cat, she would have used up eight of her nine lives." Honestly, the veterinary team the worked on Gypsy were amazed at just how well she did.
That was over six months ago and Gypsy has been great ever since. That is until yesterday when I found a swollen mass on her abdomen, near her incision site which she was licking over and over again. This was immediate cause for concern and I called the vet right away. Today the vet examined her and the prognoses was positive but less than encouraging. Infection has set in, probably caused by the hardware left behind that was used to hold together Gypsy's pelvis. It is not life threatening at this point, but it is likely that she is going to need another surgery to remove the hardware that is causing the infection.
It is a relief to know that this is a treatable problem, and not cancer, as I feared it may be. But the cost of her treatment is more than I can afford. This is where you guys come in. I am currently in between jobs. My last job was seasonal and ended in September. I am searching for another job, while driving for Uber and doing freelance artwork. Finances are already tight. I am looking to return to college next fall, after an eight year hiatus, to get my bachelors degree in Wildlife Conservation. Of course, Gypsy will be going with me. If she couldn't come along, then I wouldn't even consider going. So naturally, her health and wellbeing come first in my book.
Guys, it takes a lot for me to ask for help like this. But I love this dog so much I am willing to swallow my pride and say, “Please, I need your help.” I spent almost $300 on vet bills today, which was money I had set aside for rent. There is a $200 culture that Gypsy still needed to have done today, but I could not afford to pay that. Coming up will be more tests, medications and eventually surgery. I can't do this alone. I need help.
To my personal friends and family. My birthday is this month. I will be 28 years old. If you were thinking of buying me a card and sending me a gift, please don't. Instead, please help me take care of my girl. In fact, that goes for Christmas too.
As an incentive, I will draw a personalized monochromatic digital pet portrait for anyone that donates $25 or more. These images will be for yours to keep and you can then print them onto canvas, pillows, mugs, even t-shirts.
I thank each and every one of you for your prayers and support. Please help me heal my Gypsy Girl. She is my best friend. THANK YOU.
Organizer
Miranda Joy Turpin
Organizer
Redding, CA