Help Save Redolpho's (Piggy's) Eyes

Hi! My name is Ellysse Lindley and I am raising funds for my 11-year-old boston terrier doggy named, Redolpho Cornelius Lindley (aka Piggy). He has cataracts in both of his eyes. Currently, he is 100% blind in his right eye and has 25% vision in his left eye. I found out from Dr. Osinchuk, Island Veterinary Eye Specialist (Victoria, BC), that if I do not get the cataracts removed sooner, rather than later, that the inflammation from the cataracts will cause glaucoma. Leading me to have to get both of his eyes completely removed. I have booked his surgery for January 16, 2024, to remove the cataracts, preventing glaucoma and hopefully saving his eyes. I was told that Piggy has an 80% chance of receiving his FULL vision back and saving both of his eye balls.

The initial tests will cost $1,120.00 CAD. The surgery cost will be $6,160.00 CAD. I am taking 1 week of paid vacation in order to take care of Piggy after his surgery. However, he will need 4-6 eyedrops, 4x a day, for 3 weeks. I do work fulltime, so his recovery cost to hire a helper for the following 2 weeks will be $1,523.00 CAD. Totaling $8,803.00. I currently have pulled from my savings and the entirety of my last three paychecks have gone towards his surgery cost. The day before his surgery, January 15, 2024, I will have $4,900.00 CAD saved. Leaving $3,903.00 CAD left to raise.

Ellysse + Piggy’s Story

I received Piggy, at the age of 21, as a break up gift from my parents, shortly after being diagnosed with major clinical depression, crippling anxiety and symptoms of PTSD from an emotionally and sometimes physically abusive relationship. Piggy was my shinning light. He was the reason I got out of bed every day. He was my little man to take care of. He was always there to make me laugh when I was stuck in a dark cloud. He unconditionally loved me and relied upon me and I knew he would never break my heart.

Due to my symptoms of PTSD, I had trouble going to school, being and staying in the classroom and being around large crowds. I would have multiple panic attacks and dealt with crippling anxiety when it came to writing exams. That is when the Center for Accessible Learning recommended I see a therapist at the University of Victoria (UVic) . The therapist, recommended, that I use Piggy as my emotional support dog to help me deal with my symptoms. From that moment on, Piggy came to 100% of my classes with me. We always sat in the front row and he wore his red service dog vest proudly. His little snorting noises (he is a flat faced doggy after all) his presence, and being able to pet him and focus my attention on him when a panic attack would arise helped me get through my degree. Piggy became very well known in the art history department and to this day, is arguably, the most famous support dog at the university.

It took me 14 years to finish my degree and Piggy was with me for 11 of them. On June 16, 2023, Piggy and I took the stage at UVic and accepted OUR, and I say OUR because Piggy was in every one of my classes and exams, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art History and Visual Studies. Piggy deserves that degree as much as I did, because I could not have done it without him being by my side. I even made a TikTok of Piggy and my achievement, complete with a video of us walking across the stage together. Which you can view here.

Ellysse and Piggy Graduation Video

Plus, he is obviously in my grad photo with a matching red bowtie to my red dress and red regalia.

Piggy is my soulmate, he is my savior and he is my teacher. He helped to pull me out of major clinical depression. He taught me its okay to not be okay. He taught me that it takes hard work, perseverance and a lot of love, cuddles and pets to achieve our dreams. He is my family.

It took me setting aside my pride and ego in order to even be able to post this GoFundMe. At the end of the day though, Piggy taught me its okay to ask for help and that with a little help you can achieve anything.

This post is purely for the unconditional love I have for my dog. He is the biggest reason why I am here on this earth today and I have achieved what I have. It is time that I do everything in my power to support him in his time of need and to save his vision and his eyes.

I am grateful for each and everyone of you that decide to help, but most importantly, I am grateful for you just keeping Piggy and I in your thoughts and prayers.

With love,

Ellysse Lindley