Yesterday, our sweet dog Cole was playing next door at my sister's house when something unimaginable happened. Out of nowhere, a man pulled up on a motorcycle, walked straight toward Cole, and shot him at point blank range. My sister witnessed the entire event from her kitchen window and ran outside screaming, while a passing truck driver stopped and was also shot at by the gunman. The man then sped away, leaving us in shock and Cole gravely injured. We have no idea why this happened—Cole is a gentle, harmless soul who has never hurt anyone. The attack happened in broad daylight, with no regard for any life, human or animal.

Somehow, Cole managed to get to his feet and ran home, jumping onto my bed while bleeding heavily. My family and I were hysterical, especially my young grandson who witnessed the chaos. Despite being disabled and not knowing how I would pay, I knew I had to get Cole help. My daughter and I rushed him to the animal ER, a tense 50-minute drive filled with fear and uncertainty. The ER staff stabilized Cole and explained the costs. I was only able to cover the initial treatment, which included pain medication, antibiotics, and an anti-inflammatory. Unfortunately, the bullet remains inside Cole, and he still needs more care to ensure his safety and recovery.

Cole now needs to return to the vet for x-rays to locate the bullet, determine if surgery is necessary, and see if the bullet hit any organs that could be slowly endangering his life. He will likely need additional treatments and shots as well. As someone living on a fixed income due to disability, I simply cannot afford the ongoing care Cole desperately needs. I am reaching out to our community for help—any support you can offer to help us get Cole the treatment he deserves would mean the world to our family. Thank you for reading our story and for any kindness you can share.