Please Help Us Recover Violet's Emergency Vet Costs

Right now there's a storm in my life. During these storms I meditate. When I meditate, it’s quiet. I am able to see my thoughts in a more objective manner.

I meditate in order to find shelter from the thunder and lightning storms that life often sends. I meditate to find/remain calm and present. It allows me to think more objectively.

Right now a storm is raging in my life. Even while meditating, my metaphorical shoulder is braced against the door trying to hold it closed. The wind is raging. I hope the windows will hold. My eyes, clenched tight in darkness while the whirlwind outside is huffing and puffing and working to blow my house down. The winds burn hot in my brain.

I must relax. I have to focus on my breathing, find calm and be present. One of my thoughts while meditating was: Receive help by asking the Universe.

My name is Tony Blei. The “storm” that is confronting my wife, Susan, and me is complex. But the storm surge has become too great after losing Violet, our beautiful Rottweiler puppy. She lived with us for three weeks before being euthanized.

Violet came to us because I’m in need of a therapy/service dog. I’ve endured some injuries in my life. The thing that has me in its unrelenting grip is Long Covid. I'm Disabled because of it.

The symptoms of Long Covid are terrible. Sometimes I need help getting up. Sometimes my world gets “swirly” and I never know when or where that will happen. I’ve tried a number of things but the one thing that works the best is a strong, sturdy dog. They come when called. And people give me a wider path when we walk — and — a big enough dog gives me something to hold onto when my world begins to swirl.

The Rottweiler is a perfect choice for me. They’re certainly sturdy. And when trained, provide everything that I need. Susan and I have owned six Rottweilers during our life. A vet once complimented me by saying that I was “one of the few people who should own a Rottweiler.”

While they are big and protective, they are herding dogs who get jobs that are more in line with their traits. A big dog gets to stand there when I need a dog’s shoulder to hang onto as I stand up. She could help clear a wider path when we walked through crowded places. I wanted Violet to be a Service Dog.

Violet was, what I would have called, a rescue. (Except that Violet didn’t live.) She came to us with a past that was filled with unanswered questions as well as an expensive, medical emergency. The emergency was resolved, the breeder took responsibility and it looked like Violet would grow up to be a happy, healthy dog. I took her to meet her new vet. She got her rabies shot a clean bill of health and was free to discover her world.

Everybody told us that Violet was lucky to have us.

Violet came to us as a 7½ month old female who was in heat. We rescued her from a breeder who, during her medical emergency, would have put the dog down instead of giving her the treatment she needed. The medical emergency came to us from the breeder. Reluctantly, they took responsibility and we’ve been able to move on.

Violet was a happier dog after bringing her home from the hospital. We became very close. For a few weeks, we spent every waking moment together. Our day would begin as she would softly howl to me through the bedroom door when it was time for me to wake up. She would have already been up early with Susan, but when she could stand it no more, I would wake to a beautiful dog's voice singing, “Ow Ooooohooohhhhh.” And I would answer with my own "song" as I answered as I got out of bed.

Violet was a 60 lb. puppy. Think about it: SIXTY pounds of puppy! A puppy that big will soon become a very large dog. The dog had better be socialized and well adjusted. So we trained all day long. We walked, went home, took naps and then walked some more. Violet was from a kennel that was out in the country. She not familiar with cars or traffic. As we walked, the pulling and struggle eventually gave way to cooperation. After a couple of weeks it felt like I was carrying a leash with weightless dog attached. Her confidence was growing day-by-day.

Friends stopped by to meet “Tha Dog.” She was introduced to as many people as possible and was enjoying the generosity of love that was being given to her. I was looking for training courses for her to become a certified as Service Animal. I could use her help. Violet’s love and eagerness to please were perfect. Rottweilers are working dogs. She had a job that she was working towards. Sadly, Our plan was cut short when Violet became suddenly ill and had to be euthanized.

It all started during a roadtrip to Ocean Shores.

Violet slept while we drove. When we arrived at our destination she seemed too excited to pee as she met new people. We left our friends’ home and checked into our pet-friendly hotel where she met some deer in a grassy area where puppies go to poop. She still didn’t pee.

Susan and I have gone over every instant of every minute that we were with Violet. She was always on a leash and didn’t have exposure to anything toxic while on the trip or while living with us.

Susan remembers that Violet did pee one time while giving her one of many breaks. The only time I saw her pee was when she got home. I was horrified at the thought of the dog holding its urine for more than 24 hours.

We thought that Violet was tired from the trip. She was a puppy. We let her rest and catch up on her sleep. By morning, we had entered the fiery gates of Hell. We just didn’t know it. Violet was doomed.

I took her to the vet who immediately sent her an emergency veterinary hospital. They made a referral and called on Violet’s behalf.

When we walked into the emergency room they were ready for her. The veterinarians were concerned. They needed to keep her overnight. They promised to call.

At 10 p.m. the vet called and expressed concern that her numbers were getting worse.

In the morning I spoke with the nurse. Violet had been a difficult Rottweiler. She was scared. They had sedated her.

I went to see her and it broke my heart. She was wearing two cones and had an IV. She smiled a dog smile. Her face was so happy to see me. If she had a tail, she would have wagged it. During a potty break she tried pulling me towards the truck. We had to go back inside. She never peed.

None of the vets had any good news. I was informed that this would be fatal.

Susan and I have a couple of rules that we live by: Never lie to the dog (they know more than you may realize). The second rule is to never give up on the Rottweiler — or any dog.

X-rays and ultrasounds revealed destruction to Violet’s kidneys. Repeatedly, the vets and I went over lists of things that Violet could have gotten into. Each time coming up empty.

The vet that worked with her last offered a "Hail Mary" glimmer of hope. We hoped and we prayed. And we slept on it. In the morning, hanging onto hope, we spoke over the phone with the vet said who said that it was time…

When we came to say goodbye, she instantly gave us an expressive, happy look as she came into the room. It was beautiful. She curled up to cuddle with us and laid her head on my leg. Her kidneys had completely shut down and she was greatly fatigued. Her shaved belly was fat with fluid that her kidneys could not process. She moaned softly, in pain.

Susan and I held her big, black beautiful dog head and ran our fingers through her soft fur. She was happy to see us but that brief moment of happiness had taken all of her energy. Susan and I massaged her face and cried as Violet drifted off to sleep…

Never give up on the Rottweiler.

We never gave up. Kidney failure is bigger than anyone’s budget.

My goal is to raise enough money to recover the cost of Violet and her emergency medical bills. The total comes to $7239.60. I am on Disability and need help.

After erasing the mountain of debt, I plan to find another Rottweiler to come live in our home. This can only happen after Violet's emergency vet bill has been erased.

Thank you for contributing to Violet’s emergency medical fund. Please tell others about her too. Remember to meditate and find calm.

R.I.P.

Violet

Sept. 24, 2034 - May 4, 2024