Rowdy's Medical Bill
Donation protected
Five years ago during my Sophomore year of college I decided to start volunteering at Hope For Paws Animal Shelter in Natchitoches, LA. I immediately fell in love with the process and found myself spending all my free time there. On the second Saturday of every month we would select a couple lucky dogs and bring them to the nearest PetSmart where an adoption event would be held. To say this was my favorite day of the month would be an understatement. Yes some dogs would still come home with us after the long day was over, but some wouldn't and that's what we as volunteers lived for. To watch a dog you have been taking care of for months in the shelter walk away to his/her forever home is by far the most rewarding and wholesome feeling. I did, however; wonder if I was ever going to experience that feeling from the other side. Adopting a dog myself. And then when I least expected it it happened. On Saturday September 14, 2015 our volunteers started out the day as we always do on adoption days. I was handed three dogs to take in my car and off I went. Amongst that group of four legged friends was a 7 month old pup named Rowdy. I took care of Rowdy a lot at the shelter and he was always such a gentle soul even for his age. On the way to PetSmart that day Rowdy would not stop whining in the backseat. He kept pawing at my arm and trying to figure out a way to get his 45lb body in my lab while I was driving. As much as I tried to keep him under control I eventually caved and let Rowdy ride on my lap the rest of the way to PetSmart. Once we arrived and got everything set up I was able to sit down and wait for potential owners to show up. It took about five minutes for Rowdy to weasel his way out of his crate and back into my lap. All the volunteers joked he was my dog and I just smiled and nodded. Then a couple came up to me and asked if they could walk Rowdy. I said yes and put Rowdy on his leash. When the couple took off to walk him Rowdy wouldn't budge. He was sitting next to my chair refusing to get up. I tried to encourage him but nothing worked. The couple looked at me and said "Sweetie this is your dog, it really looks like he's choosing you". I'll never forget that day. From that moment on I went to the shelter almost every morning and evening to see Rowdy. I would sneak him in my dorm room to give him baths and try to teach him how to play fetch. It didn't take long for me and everyone else to realize the connection we had. As Thanksgiving break approached I remember calling my mom and begging her if I could please bring Rowdy home so everyone could met him. She said yes. My family fell in love with him that week. He was everything I didn't know I needed. When I got back to school I signed Rowdy's adoption papers and on December 14, 2015 Rowdy was officially mine. The next five years were indescribable. He was truly my partner in crime. We did EVERYTHING together. He got me through the best and worst times of my life. He shaped me into who I am today and he helped me make the biggest decision of my young adult life. Moving to Tampa, FL, 1000 miles away from my friends and family. I could have never made that move without him. He was my safe place and my rock in any situation.
Then on November 6, 2020 my world turned upside down when I watched my sweet Rowdy get hit by a car while I was working in the garage. Rowdy never leaves my side when I’m out there so I never had to put him on a chain. Unfortunately it’s just in a dogs DNA to chase cats and that’s what happened that night . He walked away without a scratch on him but I rushed him to the ER anyways. After sitting in the parking lot for 2 1/2 hours praying & crying the Vet called me and told me that Rowdy was bleeding internally and had no idea where the bleed was coming from. She said he needs a blood transfusion ASAP and he will be hospitalized overnight. I begged her to please let me in so I can see my boy. I was allowed 5 minutes. When I walked in Rowdy had a blue belly band on him and was already put on pain medication so he was a little out of it but popped his head up as soon as I came in the room. He licked my face as I cried and prayed. I prayed for strength for both Rowdy and myself. And I prayed for the amazing staff that was taking care of him. I gave him all my love and told him to fight as hard as he could because there are so many people that still need him here. Dr. Stephanie Lo looked at me and said “ Rowdy is in good hands .. go home and try to relax .. if you don’t hear from me that’s a good thing ... no news is good news”. David drove me back to my house and not even 15 minutes later my phone rang. It was Dr. Lo. She said Rowdy’s red blood cell count is continuing to drop and I need to stay by my phone. I screamed out to God in so much pain. I couldn’t believe this was happening. It was a horrible nightmare I just wanted to wake up from. 10 minutes later Dr. Lo called again ...
“Rowdy’s heart just stopped. You need to get here now”. The drive back to the hospital my body felt numb. I remember looking out the window and telling God to take care of him. When David and I arrived back to the hospital Dr. Lo came outside and said “Rowdy’s heart stopped but we brought him back, however; it just stopped for a second time .. do you want us to continue to do CPR?” I immediately said yes and told her to let me in there right now I need to see him. She was hesitant at first but finally said okay. I ran back there to see my baby. They brought him back for a second time. I held his head and talked gently in his ear. “Rowdy roo it’s mama .. I love you so much baby .. you are so so strong. Keep fighting okay. Keep fighting.” I was so strong in there that night. I had no choice but to be strong for him and the doctors around me. Dr. Lo proceeded to tell me that Rowdy had passed for almost 8 minutes each time and they were unsure if he had suffered any brain damage during that time. Then something incredible happen. Rowdy started breathing on his own. He started coughing so they removed the tube from his throat immediately. He looked up at me and started wagging his tail on the table. He was moving his head all around and trying to stand up! Everyone in the ER froze and starred in awe as Rowdy was still Rowdy. After passing away twice he still had normal brain function and definitely knew who I was. Looking back on this night that was Rowdy saying goodbye. In that moment I saw Rowdy as we all knew Rowdy. Goofy and happy. It was the purest moment. David and I loved on him and told him he was going to be okay. He was fighting so hard. He remained strong for 30 minutes then his heart rate started to drop again .. he flatlined and I watched them preform CPR on him for the third time. I sat quietly with my eyes closed and softly said “ If you need to go baby I understand, I love you so much and thank for giving me the best 5 years “. Then I heard Dr. Lo say “We got him back .. he’s breathing”. 3 times. Rowdy came back 3 times. It was unbelievable. Dr. Lo looked at me and said he needs surgery ASAP. They pulled me aside and said surgery is very expensive. $13,000 to be exact. They needed a $9000 deposit and he had a 50/50 shot at surviving it. As I stood there looking at that number and running over his odds in my head I still proceeded to say let’s do it. I had no idea where I was going to come up with $9000 at 1 am so I stepped out of the room to make a call to my mom. As I was going over everything with my mom Dr. Lo knocked on the door and said Rowdy was crashing for the fourth time. They asked me if I wanted them to start CPR for the fourth time and I said no. He had been through so much already. David and I laid over him in his final moments while they put him down comfortably. Rowdy past away at 1:06 am on November 7, 2020. I told him how much of an amazing dog is was and I thanked him for being my best friend. Rowdy came into my life when I needed him most and he gave me the best 5 years any girl could ever ask for. He was so much more than just a dog. He was my travel partner, my adventure buddy, my healer .. but most of all my protector. I felt so safe when I was with Rowdy. When I made the big move to Florida he was my rock. I could do anything if he was next to me. He was so in tune with everyone around him. I miss him deeply. I miss his wet kisses and his weight on me when I go to bed. I can feel his energy not here with me and a piece of me truly feels empty, but I try to remind myself of the amazing life we had together. I know that God has a plan for everything. I’m not sure why this horrible night had to happen but I do know I believe everything happens for a reason and if I believe that for when good things happen I have to believe that for when bad things happen. The healing process is going to be long and hard but I take comfort in knowing just how much Rowdy was loved. He was a friend to all and he will always be watching over us. Thank you to everyone for all the prayers you sent his way on that tragic night. Rest easy Rowdy baby ... I will never forget you.
Then on November 6, 2020 my world turned upside down when I watched my sweet Rowdy get hit by a car while I was working in the garage. Rowdy never leaves my side when I’m out there so I never had to put him on a chain. Unfortunately it’s just in a dogs DNA to chase cats and that’s what happened that night . He walked away without a scratch on him but I rushed him to the ER anyways. After sitting in the parking lot for 2 1/2 hours praying & crying the Vet called me and told me that Rowdy was bleeding internally and had no idea where the bleed was coming from. She said he needs a blood transfusion ASAP and he will be hospitalized overnight. I begged her to please let me in so I can see my boy. I was allowed 5 minutes. When I walked in Rowdy had a blue belly band on him and was already put on pain medication so he was a little out of it but popped his head up as soon as I came in the room. He licked my face as I cried and prayed. I prayed for strength for both Rowdy and myself. And I prayed for the amazing staff that was taking care of him. I gave him all my love and told him to fight as hard as he could because there are so many people that still need him here. Dr. Stephanie Lo looked at me and said “ Rowdy is in good hands .. go home and try to relax .. if you don’t hear from me that’s a good thing ... no news is good news”. David drove me back to my house and not even 15 minutes later my phone rang. It was Dr. Lo. She said Rowdy’s red blood cell count is continuing to drop and I need to stay by my phone. I screamed out to God in so much pain. I couldn’t believe this was happening. It was a horrible nightmare I just wanted to wake up from. 10 minutes later Dr. Lo called again ...
“Rowdy’s heart just stopped. You need to get here now”. The drive back to the hospital my body felt numb. I remember looking out the window and telling God to take care of him. When David and I arrived back to the hospital Dr. Lo came outside and said “Rowdy’s heart stopped but we brought him back, however; it just stopped for a second time .. do you want us to continue to do CPR?” I immediately said yes and told her to let me in there right now I need to see him. She was hesitant at first but finally said okay. I ran back there to see my baby. They brought him back for a second time. I held his head and talked gently in his ear. “Rowdy roo it’s mama .. I love you so much baby .. you are so so strong. Keep fighting okay. Keep fighting.” I was so strong in there that night. I had no choice but to be strong for him and the doctors around me. Dr. Lo proceeded to tell me that Rowdy had passed for almost 8 minutes each time and they were unsure if he had suffered any brain damage during that time. Then something incredible happen. Rowdy started breathing on his own. He started coughing so they removed the tube from his throat immediately. He looked up at me and started wagging his tail on the table. He was moving his head all around and trying to stand up! Everyone in the ER froze and starred in awe as Rowdy was still Rowdy. After passing away twice he still had normal brain function and definitely knew who I was. Looking back on this night that was Rowdy saying goodbye. In that moment I saw Rowdy as we all knew Rowdy. Goofy and happy. It was the purest moment. David and I loved on him and told him he was going to be okay. He was fighting so hard. He remained strong for 30 minutes then his heart rate started to drop again .. he flatlined and I watched them preform CPR on him for the third time. I sat quietly with my eyes closed and softly said “ If you need to go baby I understand, I love you so much and thank for giving me the best 5 years “. Then I heard Dr. Lo say “We got him back .. he’s breathing”. 3 times. Rowdy came back 3 times. It was unbelievable. Dr. Lo looked at me and said he needs surgery ASAP. They pulled me aside and said surgery is very expensive. $13,000 to be exact. They needed a $9000 deposit and he had a 50/50 shot at surviving it. As I stood there looking at that number and running over his odds in my head I still proceeded to say let’s do it. I had no idea where I was going to come up with $9000 at 1 am so I stepped out of the room to make a call to my mom. As I was going over everything with my mom Dr. Lo knocked on the door and said Rowdy was crashing for the fourth time. They asked me if I wanted them to start CPR for the fourth time and I said no. He had been through so much already. David and I laid over him in his final moments while they put him down comfortably. Rowdy past away at 1:06 am on November 7, 2020. I told him how much of an amazing dog is was and I thanked him for being my best friend. Rowdy came into my life when I needed him most and he gave me the best 5 years any girl could ever ask for. He was so much more than just a dog. He was my travel partner, my adventure buddy, my healer .. but most of all my protector. I felt so safe when I was with Rowdy. When I made the big move to Florida he was my rock. I could do anything if he was next to me. He was so in tune with everyone around him. I miss him deeply. I miss his wet kisses and his weight on me when I go to bed. I can feel his energy not here with me and a piece of me truly feels empty, but I try to remind myself of the amazing life we had together. I know that God has a plan for everything. I’m not sure why this horrible night had to happen but I do know I believe everything happens for a reason and if I believe that for when good things happen I have to believe that for when bad things happen. The healing process is going to be long and hard but I take comfort in knowing just how much Rowdy was loved. He was a friend to all and he will always be watching over us. Thank you to everyone for all the prayers you sent his way on that tragic night. Rest easy Rowdy baby ... I will never forget you.
Organizer
Jessica Lykins
Organizer
Tampa, FL