Melissa and Scarlett's journey with Wish

Hello everyone, it's Melissa. I am so fortunate to love and be loved by so many kind and generous people. As someone who finds it hard to ask for help, this is incredibly difficult for me, and yet incredibly important and so with that, I am sharing my story. 

As many of you know, I went through a divorce that left myself and my daughter Scarlett with deep emotional scars. During that incredibly dark time in my life I researched getting a support dog for my daughter, Scarlett, as I knew it would help her to heal. We both suffered from emotional abuse during my marriage as well as trauma from the divorce. My research led me to the perfect breed, one that would fit our needs and bring much needed light into our home. I did not have the money, and so I made the decision to sell a gold necklace that my father had made for Scarlett before he passed away. The gold necklace had deep sentimental value, but I knew the gift of a fur companion would be even greater. 

We got our Goldendoodle in November 2017, and named her Wish. Scarlett's wish was always to have a puppy of her own, and Wish filled that void and then some. The happiest, most loving dog, Wish quickly became a beloved member of our little family. I got Wish for Scarlett, and did not realize how much I needed Wish, too. This dog was so much more to us. She helped us to feel safe in our home as a new mother/daughter team. She helped us through the isolation and the loneliness that the pandemic brought. I did not realize how much I had grown to need her, how she helped me heal, and what she actually meant to me until tragedy ripped her from our lives.

On a warm December day, Wish and I were outside playing in the woods behind my home, cleaning and stacking fallen branches. I had taken her off leash so she could freely play catch. I threw her the ball several times, each time she retrieved it and brought it back. The last time she caught it, she uncharacteristically ran off. 

I waited, and called for her, but she did not come back. Darkness was approaching, I decided to walk back to my house to get a whistle, and that is when my nightmare began. A good Samaritan pulled up and asked me if I had a golden doodle. She then broke the news that my Wish had been hit by a car, and that the driver had left the scene. Wish tragically did not make it.

Telling Scarlett was awful. It was and is a gut wrenching scenario that I play over and over again, each day. 

With time and support, I knew I needed another furry companion. Not to replace Wish, she is irreplaceable. But to fill our hearts and our home with a love that only a furry companion can give. I love all animals, and have adopted many in my lifetime. My choice to get another goldendoodle versus adopting, comes from my love of the breed, and how it supports my need for emotional support and safety. I am not emotionally able to adopt a rescue at this time. 

I reached out to the breeder and was very lucky to find that a litter was just born. My mother and brother have paid the deposit to hold a puppy, but I am not in the position to pay the remaining balance. I am hoping through the understanding and generosity of friends, and the sale of my art work, I can make Scarlett and my dream become a reality.

many thanks to all who have been supporting us.

we love all of you.

Melissa and Scarlett.

the date we need the funds for is by February 14, 2022

if anyone is interested in buying my photos and artwork, I will be selling at a discount as a fundraiser. If anyone is interested to view my work and discuss prices I will be posting my work on my website.