My name is EJ Christopher and I am the proud dad of Bella the Boxer. I am in desperate need of financial assistance for my best friend. Those who know me personally know that I do not like asking for handouts, but with the high cost-of-living and student loans coming back, I have no choice but to do whatever I can to help my baby.

Before I go into why the funds are needed, I wanted to share a little bit of our story.

2016 was the darkest time in my life, swallowed in a darkness I never thought I’d emerge out of. That is until I found out that year that I would be getting my own dog, something I wanted more than anything in my life.

I met Bella when she was just four-days-old. She was so tiny - like a furry licorice jelly bean. Just holding her in my hands in that moment put the biggest smile on my face. One that I haven’t had since I was a kid playing in the playground without a worry in the world. And the crest on her chest was even shaped like an “E” - it was meant to be.

Throughout the years, Bella and I struggled at our former residence - my family home - to the extent where we had no other option but to move out as soon as we could.

When Bella and I are together we spend our time dancing in my apartment to Maggie Rogers, going on drives/walks (usually towards ice cream), cuddling while watching a movie (or “The Pitt”), and having her howl along with me as I play my guitar. We have been through it all together, through the hard times and the dark times. And I want (need) so much more time with her.

She is why I am still here. She is my best friend, and I am not ready to continue this journey without her.

Earlier this summer, I noticed that Bella was not wanting to put weight on her back leg. I took her to her former vet in Uniontown and they not only were impossible to get ahold of, they weren’t prioritizing what was really going on.

After switching vets and receiving some urgent care, it was determined through x-rays and an evaluation that she has a torn cruciate (dog equivalent to ACL). It is not an easy recovery and she is very limited to what she can do until it is fully healed (i.e. using stairs as little as possible, walking as little as possible, etc.). We are on a second-floor apartment with no elevator, so I have to carry her up and down the stairs several times a day just to use the potty. As a note - I was locked into a lease agreement before I noticed her symptoms. If I could change it, I would’ve found a first-floor apartment for us.

I have no help from my family and Bella and I are are doing this all on our own now. What she really needs and is the best recommendation from the vet is a TPLO surgery, which runs from $6000-8000. I barely can afford the bills I have now, let alone another large monthly payment.

I want more than anything to give Bella the golden years she deserves, but I feel the best opportunity for that is getting this procedure done for her so that she one day can run and play in a yard again and go on many more adventures with her daddy. I want her to see a National Park and some wildflowers. I need that.

Any amount would be so helpful - even just sharing to everyone you know. If you feel comfortable Venmoing me or giving me cash, I will make sure that is put to the side for her procedure. I can’t do this without yinz - please help save my baby.