Snorts, Snores, and Second Chances for Pepe

A freak accident: It’s every dog owner's worst nightmare. To happen to a senior pug, doubly so.

Pepe the pug went through the ringer on a recent August Saturday morning, leaving him unable to move. The world’s unofficial fastest trip to the vet ER confirmed that something in his neck was putting pressure on the nerves that tell him which foot is which, making it hard for him to move his legs, stand up, walk and pee on his own. He wanted to move, but this “ticking time bomb” of an injury was holding him back.

If you know Pepe, you know his owner, Jason Kauzlarich, loves this certified Sweet Boy to the moon and back. Once a weeks-old runt squirming in the back of a sketchy, smoky van in a Dallas Walmart parking lot, Jason rescued Pepe & raised him to be the snorting, smiling and lovable pug worthy of being FANGORIA Magazine’s ceremonial dog mascot . From keeping Jason warm amid a historic ice storm to joyfully embracing me (Alyssa, Jason’s wife) as his co-owner and many trials and tribulations in between, Pepe and Jason have been through so much together that we couldn’t let his journey end without warning. Not if we could help it.

Weekend observation in the ER would prepare him to see the neuro specialist during the week. An MRI would tell us what’s really going on. A surgery to remove a herniated disc could possibly help get Pepe standing and operating all on his own. Medicine could possibly help him return to a new normal . The vet’s positivity gave us permission to hope, as scary as it was. So we maxed out a credit card, used another & took out a loan to invest in more days with Pepe. However many more these investments could provide.

The good news: It's working. Pepe can now walk a little! And he can pee on his own! The vet was so pleased by how well he's healing that Pepe was discharged early. Now our little miracle fighter is back home.

It was all worth it. Pepe is worth it. But this sudden, steep cost is honestly way more than we can afford. As much as we wish we could handle this ourselves, we also simply can’t afford not to ask for help.

With hat in hand, we’re asking anyone who can to consider donating to help finance Pepe’s medical expenses. No amount is too small, even one dollar makes all the difference. We understand financial contributions is not in the cards for everyone, and that’s okay! Sharing this fund and words of encouragement helps fuel Pepe’s road to recovery. Anything is greatly appreciated. More than you know.

We love Pepe so, so very much. And we have it on good authority that he loves you, too.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to sharing more days, snorts and smiles with this special boy, and we can't wait to share them with you, too.

- Alyssa V. and Jason K.