My name is Sarah, if you know me you know my dog, Penny, is the light of my life - "my most important thing," as I tell her.

On Friday, June 3ed, she was brutally attacked by a large dog while we were walking at the no leash dog beach in Morro Bay. It was horrifying and I thought she was going to be killed. Luckily, my brave girl is a fighter. She was rushed to a Vet ER in Arroyo Grande and the amazing team there worked hard and saved her life. 21 stiches and lots of tears later, we are both recovering slowly with the love and care of my sister in her home.

In the shock and fear of the moment, I scooped my screaming baby up and ran away from the dog and it's owners as fast as I could - my only concern was getting her the help she needed. I didn't get any information from them to be able to hold them accountable for having an unpredictable and dangerous animal off leash.

Our trip to the ER has left me in a deficit that I was wholly unprepared for. While I wish I could approach the culprits of this tragedy with my financial burden, I'm instead compelled to reach out to you - my community. Any help you're able to provide me and my sweet Tiny Wolf will be received with love and gratitude. I am only asking for the amount that covers her ER bills. Thank you all for your constant support and generosity.

OUR STORY:

Penny came to me almost 4 years ago. She was six weeks old, three pounds, and had been abandoned in a cage on the side of a highway with nothing but a bag of dry dog food.

I wasn't looking to get a pet, or take on the responsibility of caring for another life. I quite enjoyed my aimless life of frivolity. But the morning I woke up and saw the social media post asking for someone to come rescue this baby something clicked in me. That was my dog - my heart told me - I had to bring her home. I had no idea what I was doing but together Penny and I figured it out. She's taught me patience, consistency and a selflessness needed to really love another creature.

My family and I often laugh that "Penny domesticated me," because of the drastic changes I made in my life after adopting her. Most notably is my commitment to go back to school - and STAY in school! I frequently joke that I'm working on a degree so I can give my dog a better life, but there is a slice of truth in that! I didn't want to be a fairweather pet owner; her health and happiness are a priority for me. I stopped staying out partying all night when I got her. I started making better choices about my mental and physical health, finances, and planning for my future when I got her. She really is my best friend.

I'm now two semesters away from finishing my undergrad and looking forward to pursuing a Master's as well. I'm inspired by the dedication I've found to my academics, but my choice to be a full time student has meant living a very minimalist lifestyle because my only income is my student loan - something difficult to do when there aren't medical bills needing to be paid - impossible when there are.

Please, consider helping me pay for Penny's medical bills so I don't have to quit school.

Thank you all for your support and consideration!