This is Smiley.. the little stray who found his way to my front porch some eight years ago. At first I attempted to find his owners, but it soon became apparent that he was here to stay. As you can see from the photo, the nickname Smiley just stuck.
You might think I saved this dog, but in fact it was very much the other way around. As anyone who has a dog knows, they will give you their everything, their lives even, while asking very little in return. He never required any medical care besides his yearly vaccinations. Just food and water and lots of love was all he needed. In truth, he took more care of me than I did of him.
Now, unfortunately, Smiley needs my help and I can't do it alone. Today I was told that he has a very large and very painful tumor in his abdomen that has so far caused him to lose 10 of his 50 pounds and reduced him to a shadow of his former lively self. A few times a day that light in his eyes will flicker on and he wags his tail or licks my hand and I know my boy is still in there.
With the tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, surgery to remove the tumor and the blood transfusion that he will need due to extreme anemia, the vet bills will be upwards of $7,000. Unfortunately, a waitress salary will not be adequate for the entire procedure. I need help.
As I write this, he is looking concernedly up at me from the foot of my bed, presumably wondering why I'm crying. Even in his painful, weakened state, he thinks of me over himself. With this surgery, Smiley is expected to have many healthy, happy years ahead of him. I, personally, don't know any being on this earth who deserves that more than him.
Check out Smiley and Friends Facebook page for photos and videos of him and some of my foster animals and try not to fall in love. Also, any money raised over the goal of $7,000 will go to a local no-kill animal shelter.
You might think I saved this dog, but in fact it was very much the other way around. As anyone who has a dog knows, they will give you their everything, their lives even, while asking very little in return. He never required any medical care besides his yearly vaccinations. Just food and water and lots of love was all he needed. In truth, he took more care of me than I did of him.
Now, unfortunately, Smiley needs my help and I can't do it alone. Today I was told that he has a very large and very painful tumor in his abdomen that has so far caused him to lose 10 of his 50 pounds and reduced him to a shadow of his former lively self. A few times a day that light in his eyes will flicker on and he wags his tail or licks my hand and I know my boy is still in there.
With the tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, surgery to remove the tumor and the blood transfusion that he will need due to extreme anemia, the vet bills will be upwards of $7,000. Unfortunately, a waitress salary will not be adequate for the entire procedure. I need help.
As I write this, he is looking concernedly up at me from the foot of my bed, presumably wondering why I'm crying. Even in his painful, weakened state, he thinks of me over himself. With this surgery, Smiley is expected to have many healthy, happy years ahead of him. I, personally, don't know any being on this earth who deserves that more than him.
Check out Smiley and Friends Facebook page for photos and videos of him and some of my foster animals and try not to fall in love. Also, any money raised over the goal of $7,000 will go to a local no-kill animal shelter.