Arnold is a tiny, adorable, confident and energetic 10 month old Chihuahua. Everyone he meets says that he is not like your average Chihuahua as he is so outgoing and loving. His favourite things to do are to run free at the dog beach, dog park or in the garden with his much bigger fur siblings (he even broke into a goat pen once and played with the goats without fear). He also enjoys coming to work with mum everyday and collecting random objects such as leaves and pieces of paper and at the art studio and attempting to eat them. He also loves his toys, treats and cuddling up next to the fire.

On the weekend, we moved into a new place. Yesterday morning Arnold went out to the toilet, as he does every morning, but when he came inside and was freezing. We thought he had hyperthermia so we kept him warm by the fire all day to regulate his temperature but he was very lethargic and wouldn't eat dinner.  I didn't feel comfortable going to sleep with him still like that, so at 12am my housemate and I rushed him to the emergency vet. Lucky we did because his temperature was 35 when it should have been between 38.3 to 39.2. Once they tested his blood they realised he was in fact Anaemic and believe he ate something in the garden or under the house which could have been rat poison. 

Because of this, he had to stay over night which cost $800.00, have a plasma transfusion which cost $1000 and an additional blood transfusion which cost $900.

Because it was an after hour vet they didn't do payment plans. They tried to transfer him to a vet that did payment plans but because blood transfusions are difficult it was going to cost a significant amount more ($2000 rather than $900) for the payment plan transfusion in the end. 

As an already financially struggling artist who spent most of my personal money last week on moving house, bond and first months rent, I had to use money from both my personal and business accounts to pay the bills upfront and am left with basically nothing. I'm making this go fund me to help pay for the vet bills so I am not left out of pocket, as I have worked really hard to get my business to where it is today and I would be devestated if I had to start again from scratch.

If anyone is able to donate any possible amount to help Arnold and myself it would be greatly appreciated. In return I would like to give each person who donates A SIGNED ART PRINT (retailing at $50.00 each but please don't feel obligated to pay $50 if you can't, any amount you can afford is enough)

If you don't feel comfortable leaving your email address in the comments please send your contact details to [email redacted] then I can arrange the print :)

Thanks so much everyone. Arnold (and Angelica!) aren't just my pets, they are my emotional support animals and I honestly would be lost without them.

Much love, 

Shan