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Theo, our baby boy, is in surgery as I write this.
My daughter Audrey brought Theo into our lives almost 4 years ago as a newborn pup, and what he added to our family is immeasurable and impossible to put into words. I am terrified of dogs, and yet here I am, racing home to nuzzle my little coupon buddy. Great-Grandma never sees a doggie sweater she doesn't want to dress him in. He is our joy, our baby, our life.
Two months ago, our Theo was in obvious pain, wanting to jump on the couch and sit for TV, per usual, but somehow unable to. Audrey took him to his doctor, and the diagnosis was Type I/II Hansen Disk Disease. Treatable, but he had to observe strict cage-rest for 6 weeks. It was difficult to see him in this restricted state - unable to run, play chase, and roam the house, but it paid off. By Thanksgiving he was back to normal, playing and enjoying the holidays.
Last night I came home to the saddened faces of my daughters briefly running down the observations of the last hour. Theo began showing signs of being in pain; in walking his back was hunched over, and he was grunting. Instead of greeting me at the front door for his belly rub, he slowly stood near my feet and looked up at me helplessly, unable to sit or lie down comfortably.
My three daughters took him to the emergency vet, who was able to refill his prior pain medication and keep him comfortable through the night. This morning - Tuesday, December 30th - Theo was unable to move his hind legs. The girls rushed him to his regular doctor who confirmed that his disks were compressed and emergency surgery was necessary as soon as possible to prevent permanent paralysis.
When given this diagnosis, it was never a question of yes or no, but rather how. Try as we might, one can almost never be financially prepared for life's challenges. We make preparations for the house, the food, utilities, and financial obligations, but rarely is there sufficient planning for emergencies, and that is why I've shared our story. Prayers for Theo's good health would normally be all I would ask for, and I would feel blessed by my family and friends' response. Now, however, his life-saving surgery amounts to at least twice
our monthly income as a multi-generational household, and help for his medical bills would be greatly appreciated.
We've done everything we can do to save our baby boy. Anything you can do to help our family deal with this crisis is greatly appreciated.
My daughter Audrey brought Theo into our lives almost 4 years ago as a newborn pup, and what he added to our family is immeasurable and impossible to put into words. I am terrified of dogs, and yet here I am, racing home to nuzzle my little coupon buddy. Great-Grandma never sees a doggie sweater she doesn't want to dress him in. He is our joy, our baby, our life.
Two months ago, our Theo was in obvious pain, wanting to jump on the couch and sit for TV, per usual, but somehow unable to. Audrey took him to his doctor, and the diagnosis was Type I/II Hansen Disk Disease. Treatable, but he had to observe strict cage-rest for 6 weeks. It was difficult to see him in this restricted state - unable to run, play chase, and roam the house, but it paid off. By Thanksgiving he was back to normal, playing and enjoying the holidays.
Last night I came home to the saddened faces of my daughters briefly running down the observations of the last hour. Theo began showing signs of being in pain; in walking his back was hunched over, and he was grunting. Instead of greeting me at the front door for his belly rub, he slowly stood near my feet and looked up at me helplessly, unable to sit or lie down comfortably.
My three daughters took him to the emergency vet, who was able to refill his prior pain medication and keep him comfortable through the night. This morning - Tuesday, December 30th - Theo was unable to move his hind legs. The girls rushed him to his regular doctor who confirmed that his disks were compressed and emergency surgery was necessary as soon as possible to prevent permanent paralysis.
When given this diagnosis, it was never a question of yes or no, but rather how. Try as we might, one can almost never be financially prepared for life's challenges. We make preparations for the house, the food, utilities, and financial obligations, but rarely is there sufficient planning for emergencies, and that is why I've shared our story. Prayers for Theo's good health would normally be all I would ask for, and I would feel blessed by my family and friends' response. Now, however, his life-saving surgery amounts to at least twice
our monthly income as a multi-generational household, and help for his medical bills would be greatly appreciated.
We've done everything we can do to save our baby boy. Anything you can do to help our family deal with this crisis is greatly appreciated.