Help Me Pay for Hau'oli's surgery PLEASE!

Aloha,

On October 30, 2022

My precious fur baby Hau'oli Honi Le'a was hit by a car, or caught her leg on the fence, and suffered three major ligament tears on her back right leg.

She is only 22 months old, and I refuse to let her become a three-legged dog!!

I live on an island, and medical care, actually everything, is costly. I am so grateful that a skilled traveling vet will be available for her surgery THIS Wednesday 11/16! I am so nervous!!!

It will be a TPLO combined with a medial collateral ligament reconstruction.

The cost will be $9,000! (More than I've paid for my last two cars)

I found out about the CARE credit card and will put it on that which will delay payment for 18 months and will beg, borrow and SELL to pay it off!

(I guess this is me begging..)

My name is Wendy Benton. I am a retired public school teacher on the island of Kauai.

Although I count my blessings daily that I live in this special place, it has always been a bit of a financial challenge living on a school teacher's salary and as a single person here.

I embrace a very simple lifestyle and

keep my spending under control. My life has been consumed with my teaching, and I miss the children daily.

I have had dogs since the day I was born, 68 years ago. I love my fur babies as much as a doting parent loves their human child. I am pretty active, and my dogs have always been the best companions for recreation and to help me destress after a busy day.

I knew it would be a challenge raising a dog at my age, especially an Australian Shepherd, who has a ton of mental and physical energy! I have had several during my lifetime and knew what I was getting myself into.

I knew this was my last puppy to raise, and I wanted a smart, funny, active companion.

She has been that and so much more!!

I put a lot of time into looking for my last puppy. With all the sadness in the world, I needed a puppy to spread happiness. Her name means Happy.

I found her on the Big Island of Hawai'i, where her surgeon comes from. She was born on a horse ranch with much loving care.

She has been a comfort dog to the many tourists we met on our walks who missed their animals.

She goes a bit crazy with excitement when she sees anyone she has met before.

She loves people and other dogs. She will often stop and watch people coming down the path. She is happy to sit and observe horses and other four leggeds. She loves to watch birds flying and chase them along the shoreline.

She learns things so quickly. I was going to teach her how to weave thru poles before her accident and perhaps learn some new dance moves.

All over the world, humans have had issues with the "Covid puppies" becoming too attached, and my girl developed significant separation anxiety.

(I think I may have as well)

She is so intelligent and athletic that I could not keep her inside a regular fence. At first, she was confined to my deck when I would leave and eventually, she would stay in a small fenced yard. I also have the larger yard fenced, as I have always had dogs.

She got through two fences the day she was injured to try and follow me.

I am so grateful that someone stopped when they saw her lying on the side of the road and were able to get a hold of me quickly.

It will be a long road to recovery but with your help it will be an easier road. Please share if moved to.

Mahalo nui loa,

Wendy and Hau'oli