I don’t know how to write this.

My name is Nichta, and I’ve been trying to type this in here for several days. My dog, Burger Van Wrinkle, is looking to be at the end of his days. There’s very little hope, and tomorrow’s appointment will confirm. The short of it is that I am hoping to please raise funds to cover his final vet expenses and the cost of cremation service.

Burger is a rescue pup. I met him when he was six months old, and he absolutely idolized my pup Nadia, who was 11 at the time. He came to me at almost a year in age (long story) shortly after I lost her. Circumstances got pretty crazy at the time, and we faced severe housing instability together for over six months. Keeping him active, engaged, and healthy/happy was quite literally the only thing keeping me going through that hopeless period. The two of us managed some pretty amazing adventures during that time, and we were able to eventually get on our feet again.

The years brought so very much. I was a nanny, and Burger was the “first dog” for many of my kiddos. So sweet, tolerant, and patient, with babies and toddlers alike. When he wasn’t trying to take their milk bottles, lol. (His weakness.) Alllll my kiddos loved him. I was a petsitter, and he was just as wonderful with all the pups- much older, tiny puppies, loners, extra boisterous. We fostered a pregnant rescue pup and then her six Very Active puppies, all of whom adored Uncle Burger. Later we fostered another rescue pup, and they were besties the whole time. One of the original litter ended up keeping us as her forever family (Gala Gator), and they’ve been inseparable ever since. Even during times he could’ve probably used a break. :)

In May of 2019, I suffered a particularly bad miscarriage and nearly died. Burger lay next to me on the floor the whole time, until paramedics were finally able to reach me. He actually guarded me from them (strange men in the house!) until I convinced him it was okay. He never left my side, then or while I was healing.

In June of 2020, I gave birth to my baby girl, and from the moment I brought her home, Burger was her protector. He checked on her every time she cried, deploying kisses for serious matters. He would lay next to her so gently, and calmly weathered flailing baby arms and legs. She grew with him and Gala, playing, sleeping, and cracking up at their antics. He was with her the first time she sat up, stood, took steps. He was definitely there under her high chair every time she ate, lol, as they both loved when she fed him her food. One of her first phrases was “Burger sit”. :)

In June of 2022, we once again faced housing instability, due to circumstances out of my control. The pups started going with us absolutely everywhere at that point, having their own special decked out areas set up in the car. A couple times we had to make vet visits, and having the pups momentarily “taken away” by the vet staff had been literally the only times my baby had ever been inconsolable. Just an absolute wreck until they brought our pups back. We are fortunate to be in a safe, happy, temp living situation. But even if Burger is outside going potty for “too long”, she notices and asks where he is, telling me to “get Burger”. He moves next to her on the bed in the night, part of his body always touching hers. Never minding when she has arms and legs flung over him.

Throughout his nearly 14-1/2 years, Burger has been remarkably healthy. He’s given me some major frights. He still has severe separation anxiety from the abuse and neglect he suffered at the hands of his first “owner”. And boy has he managed some incidents. It’s only in the past year or so he’s even started showing light signs of slowing. Three weeks ago, that all changed. He came down with acute onset vestibular syndrome. Vomiting, severe dizziness, could barely stand. He was actually recouping from that fairly well. Then his health took a sudden major dip. He’s lost significant weight, barely eats, slowly wanders, has trouble settling. Some other details that I’ll spare you here. He’s drinking really well, thankfully. But he is, at this point, practically a shell of his former self. I’ve been here before, and the prognosis isn’t positive.

A couple weeks ago, I was curled up with him on the bed, just snuggling and soaking in his warmth. Trying not to think about what was going on for a moment. My baby came over, hugged me from behind, and said, “It’s okay sad, mama. It's okay cry.” Oof.

How do I truly summarize 14 years? How do I express the depth and breadth of the love I feel? The gratitude I feel? Burger saved my life. More than once. He takes care of me. He takes care of my baby, who’s nearing three years old now. He challenges the heck out of me. He only wants to be with me, and everything after that is all good to him. Fourteen vibrant, loving, ridiculous, amazing years. How could I ever convey that.

We still don’t have our feet under us yet. Working hard on it, but not nearly there. I am hoping to please raise money to cover Burger’s final vet expenses and the cost of cremation. So he can stay with us. The time is coming all too soon, and I could really use some help, please. He has been, and still is, a vital, loving, and loved part of our little family. I want to care care of him as well as he’s always taken care of me. Thank you so very much for your time and consideration.

Love,

the Hopps family