Our beloved two-year-old chocolate lab, Dexter, was hit by a car on the night of June 4th, 2025. Thankfully, a Good Samaritan saw him and called the Havelock Police Department, who acted quickly and sent animal control. He was rushed to the emergency vet, and that fast action likely saved his life.

Dexter suffered a broken pelvis, road rash, and needed emergency surgery and a blood transfusion due to internal bleeding discovered during prep for orthopedic surgery in Wilmington. He is currently being stabilized with hopes for surgery on Monday or Tuesday, depending on his condition.

Dexter is more than just a pet — he’s part of our family. As a public school teacher, my days are filled with helping students grow and thrive. My husband is self-employed, and while he works hard every day, business is a little slow right now. We’re also raising three teenage boys, and Dexter is their goofy, loyal sidekick — always ready for fetch, couch snuggles, and awkward stares. He also has a dog brother, Tucker, who is missing his buddy terribly.

We never expected something like this to happen, and as you can imagine, the costs are adding up fast — from the emergency vet visit and overnight stays, to the pending pelvis surgery and aftercare. We are doing everything we can to give Dexter the best shot at a full recovery, but we can’t do it alone.

If you’re able to donate, no matter the amount, we would be incredibly grateful. Every dollar helps us cover the mounting medical expenses and get Dexter back home where he belongs — surrounded by love, healing snuggles, and his favorite humans.

Please share if you can, and most importantly, keep our sweet boy in your thoughts and prayers. We are thankful he’s still here with us, and we’re holding onto hope for a full recovery.

With gratitude,

The Hernandez Family