Help Odysseus Recover
Donation protected
Hello, everyone!
As it goes with most GoFundMe stories, I have to first share how amazing this community is. You’ve probably helped so many in need and I admire how this platform has impacted so many lives. I’m hoping to get that support for my dog, Odysseus who was attacked by another dog earlier this week.
Odysseus came into my life in my early twenties and completely upended my idea of what it means to be a pet parent. Odysseus helped me find stability and patience during a time where it’s easy to be irresponsible and wild. Naturally I struggled with this puppy who wanted to destroy my chances of getting my deposit back on the apartment I rented. Looking back I could laugh and how many mistakes I made, and Odysseus was just happy to be with me despite them. No other being in this world is so unconditional with their love like our dogs.
In his 13 years, we moved apartments, went through break ups, survived hurricanes, and walked so many miles.
He has thrived with a heart too big for his chest.
He is determined to figure out how cats are related to ferrets.
He will defend me against floating plastic bags on the sidewalk.
On Saturday, we were going for our normal nightly walk when we were attacked by a large dog that had gotten loose in our neighborhood.
After this sudden act of violence, I can be thankful for many things. For starters, his small size - even in his big old age, Ody is FAST. The dog couldn’t get him at first. I can be thankful that even when the dog did catch Ody by the throat, I could throw all of my weight against the dog to keep it from thrashing and ending this little life I love so much. I can be thankful for the strangers who stopped in their car and leapt to help - who owned large dogs themselves, and knew how to get this dog to release Ody. I can be thankful that there was a 24 hour animal hospital minutes away from my home, which was just a block away from us as we were ending our walk. I can be thankful that the married couple who stopped to help me were so willing to drive me there, and even wanted wait until I needed a ride back home. I can be thankful the hospital took Apple Pay because I didn’t think to stop home to get my wallet.
Odysseus is so resilient. And luckily his neck, spine and chest didn’t have irreversible or life threatening damage. He suffered significant punctures to his neck and face, and has to drain the wounds. Right now, between mild sedatives to help manage the pain, he eats in earnest and looks forward to treats.
While we’re optimistic he’ll bounce back, it’s hitting me how many visits we’ll have to make, and how expensive those first 24 hours were. It’s hitting me how extremely fortunate we were, because he could have easily died - horribly. I don’t regret a single penny I spent, but paying that back in a single income home wasn’t how I pictured the start of this year. It’s even hard to admit I need help - because like Ody, I can be incredibly stubborn.
And if you’re wondering where the owner of the other dog was - well, he swooped in to declare the dog was his, and left before the police could come. He left, without knowing whether or not Odysseus was even alive as he bled in my arms. Didn’t care that the man who helped separate that dog from Ody (without even having to hurt it) endured bite marks on his own hands.
Ody and I are incredibly grateful for any and all support we can receive. Whatever you can donate, we could only continue to express gratitude. Share this story with others. Know that Odysseus is going to recover and continue to be the troublemaker that he is - because I know he has more to give.
You can donate here or via Venmo, Cash, and Zelle.
Venmo: @shyoni-chin-tai
Cash: $samuraishy
Zelle: Shyoni Chin-Tai
Odysseus came into my life in my early twenties and completely upended my idea of what it means to be a pet parent. Odysseus helped me find stability and patience during a time where it’s easy to be irresponsible and wild. Naturally I struggled with this puppy who wanted to destroy my chances of getting my deposit back on the apartment I rented. Looking back I could laugh and how many mistakes I made, and Odysseus was just happy to be with me despite them. No other being in this world is so unconditional with their love like our dogs.
In his 13 years, we moved apartments, went through break ups, survived hurricanes, and walked so many miles.
He has thrived with a heart too big for his chest.
He is determined to figure out how cats are related to ferrets.
He will defend me against floating plastic bags on the sidewalk.
On Saturday, we were going for our normal nightly walk when we were attacked by a large dog that had gotten loose in our neighborhood.
After this sudden act of violence, I can be thankful for many things. For starters, his small size - even in his big old age, Ody is FAST. The dog couldn’t get him at first. I can be thankful that even when the dog did catch Ody by the throat, I could throw all of my weight against the dog to keep it from thrashing and ending this little life I love so much. I can be thankful for the strangers who stopped in their car and leapt to help - who owned large dogs themselves, and knew how to get this dog to release Ody. I can be thankful that there was a 24 hour animal hospital minutes away from my home, which was just a block away from us as we were ending our walk. I can be thankful that the married couple who stopped to help me were so willing to drive me there, and even wanted wait until I needed a ride back home. I can be thankful the hospital took Apple Pay because I didn’t think to stop home to get my wallet.
Odysseus is so resilient. And luckily his neck, spine and chest didn’t have irreversible or life threatening damage. He suffered significant punctures to his neck and face, and has to drain the wounds. Right now, between mild sedatives to help manage the pain, he eats in earnest and looks forward to treats.
While we’re optimistic he’ll bounce back, it’s hitting me how many visits we’ll have to make, and how expensive those first 24 hours were. It’s hitting me how extremely fortunate we were, because he could have easily died - horribly. I don’t regret a single penny I spent, but paying that back in a single income home wasn’t how I pictured the start of this year. It’s even hard to admit I need help - because like Ody, I can be incredibly stubborn.
And if you’re wondering where the owner of the other dog was - well, he swooped in to declare the dog was his, and left before the police could come. He left, without knowing whether or not Odysseus was even alive as he bled in my arms. Didn’t care that the man who helped separate that dog from Ody (without even having to hurt it) endured bite marks on his own hands.
Ody and I are incredibly grateful for any and all support we can receive. Whatever you can donate, we could only continue to express gratitude. Share this story with others. Know that Odysseus is going to recover and continue to be the troublemaker that he is - because I know he has more to give.
You can donate here or via Venmo, Cash, and Zelle.
Venmo: @shyoni-chin-tai
Cash: $samuraishy
Zelle: Shyoni Chin-Tai
Organizer
Shyoni Chin-Tai
Organizer
Hollywood, FL