Rocco, my beloved dog, has always been a healthy and happy companion. Recently, we boarded him at Pet Paradise for just one night, expecting him to be safe and cared for. When we picked him up the next day, he was breathing heavily and his gums were starting to turn blue. Alarmed, we rushed him to a local vet, where he had to be intubated so he could get air. The vet explained that his throat was swollen from excessive barking, likely all night long, and no one had called us to let us know what was happening. After a few hours, the vet released him to go home, but once we got Rocco home, he took a turn for the worse.


We rushed him to the UF animal hospital in Gainesville, Florida. There, the doctor told us we had two options: put him on a mechanical ventilator or wait for him to pass. Just hours before, Rocco was a healthy dog, full of life. He is like a child to us, and neither of us could make the decision to let him die when he had been in perfect health so recently. The cost for the mechanical ventilator started at a very high amount, and we were required to pay a deposit up front before any treatment could begin. We had to open a care credit account to get started, but we are not in a position to fully pay this amount and will have to make payments, which will gain interest and put us in a bind we weren't prepared for.


The funds raised will help cover Rocco's vet bills and any medication he needs afterwards to get him back to health. People who know me know I don't ask for help. If you offer, I normally just thank you and figure out a way to do it myself, but this time I need my friends' help. Anything you can contribute will make a difference for Rocco and for us. Thank you for your support.