Jinks Cataract Surgery
Hi, my name is Barbara and I am fundraising for my 5 year old dog, Jinks, who was diagnosed with diabetes 9 months ago. In the last month, she lost her eyesight almost overnight due to cataracts resulting from her diabetes. I don't like to ask for help as I am usually very independent, but I am swallowing my pride and doing so. Friends of mine have encouraged me to set up this fundraiser. If you can afford to donate, please help me out. It doesn't have to be much. All small amounts add up. The total cost of her cataract surgery at Ohio State Veterinary Hospital is estimated to be between $4,600 and $5,000. I have the surgery scheduled for August 3-5, 2021. The cost covers all preliminary ultrasounds, bloodwork, other tests, the surgery and all related costs, lens replacement, medications, and 3 days hospital stay and 2 followup visits. I still need about $1,000. Thank you so much to those who already donated. Your kindness has moved me to tears.
I know there are many others who need help but I hope you can help me help Jinks. I would be forever grateful as she means the world to me. I live alone and don't have anyone else to help me other than my friends. My dogs are my family.
This is her story.
On July 31, 2019, a weimaraner rescue received a call from a shelter about a female weimaraner that they had picked up as a stray. She was not spayed, appeared to have had a litter at one time, and was estimated to be about 3 years old. One of the rescues fosters lived near the shelter and went to get her. When they got there, they discovered that she was a Weim/Lab mix, said they would foster her anyway, and named her Bailey. Unfortunately, the foster home did not work out as Bailey was obsessed with their cats. Even though the cats were in another room, she scratched and whined at the closed door all night long. Her prey drive was crazy! Since there were no other fosters available, she had to be boarded. Poor Bailey could not catch a break. She was diagnosed as heart worm positive and started on a treatment plan.
At the end of October 2019, I said I would foster her through her heart worm treatment and spay. I fell in love with her spunk and loving nature and decided to add her to my pack which consists of 12 year old Weim, Charlie, and 7 year old tripod Weim, Duke. Both of whom were adopted through rescue when they were 6 years old. Bailey was formally adopted by me in February 2020 when she was declared free of heart worms. Since she didn't respond well to the name Bailey, I renamed her "Jinks" because of her "high jinks" personality. It is very fitting as it means boisterous, rambunctious, and having carefree antics or horseplay.
In April 2020, Jinks was diagnosed with hip dysplasia in one hip but that doesn't slow her down. She just runs with a funny hoping gait! Even after all she has been through, she is the most loving, energetic girl. Her favorite things are giving kisses and snuggling on your lap, running around in the backyard chasing frogs, sitting on the deck surveying her domain, laying in the sun, and pestering her 2 fur brothers. It seemed like she had finally hit the jackpot.
Then in October of 2021, she was diagnosed with diabetes which is now under control. Her vet and I had hoped that since she was young and the diabetes was caught early and her insulin regulated quickly that she would not develop cataracts until she was older. This was not to be. At the end of June 2021, I noticed her pupils becoming cloudy and she seemed to stumble and bump into things. After a visit to the Veterinary Opthamologist, it was confirmed that she had lost her sight...almost overnight. I was devastated for her but knew that dogs could live a good life even though they were blind.
I established this fundraiser because I want her to be able to see again. I researched cataracts in dogs and discovered that without cataract surgery, diabetic dogs are more prone to diabetic retinopathy, keratopathy, or uveitis and may have complications down the road where their eyes may need to be removed. She is so young and I want her to enjoy her life to the fullest. She still enjoys sitting on the deck and roaming the yard, but she no longer chases frogs. She is having a hard time playing with her toys. She is still happy and adjusting, but she is not as full of life as she was before losing her sight. She tried to jump up on my bed and didn't see my other dog laying there and she fell off. I am 73 years old, on a fixed income, and cannot afford the total cost of cataract surgery. If something were to happen to me, it would be challenging to find her another home due to being diabetic and even harder if she were blind also. I have checked into grants and financial aid and the care credit card, have had a garage sale to raise some money, and will be posting things for sale online to raise money towards the surgery but I still need some help.