As many of you know, the past week has been a very emotional and difficult time for our family. Our son’s emotional support dog, Sunny "Bear," has been with us for the last two weeks. Sunny Bear, a 10-month-old American Staffordshire Terrier, is such a sweet and loving dog. Our son Cole adopted him in April to have a comforting buddy while he was working and living in Waco. Sunny Bear has been happily playing with our dog, his dog bestie, at our house (Kal-el). Things were going smoothly, and there were no problems. We had been trying to do the right thing in protecting a beehive we discovered this summer in the corner of our backyard to get it safely transported. We had no issues with the honey bees up until this incident. We were able to cut the yard, and the dogs were able to play and run around with no worries. We had contacted the city back in July several times to get help with transporting the honey bees in the yard, but they never called on our open case. Since there had been no troubles with the honey bees, it was not a concern at the time.

On Sunday, August 18th, after church, everything changed. Our dogs were outside barking and playing, just like usual. When Corban, our youngest son, went to bring them inside, our dog Kal-el was acting very strange. Bees had found their way into the house, and Sunny Bear was still outside and did not come in right away. Corban got stung by one while getting our dogs inside. Sunny Bear quickly came inside, and based on the week we have had, we can only assume that he was the culprit. Much like Winnie the Pooh that day, a curious puppy stuck his head in the hive looking for honey. Sunny Bear got stung by a mass swarm of them. Between the ER vet, myself, and Corban, we pulled out over 60 stingers in total and know that he got stung by many more. Sunny Bear went into shock and became deathly sick as his body was going septic.

It was a very scary time for us. We spent many tears and lots of emotional stress trying to care for Sunny Bear, while our son was away in Waco having to manage his own stress of starting a new job and moving apartments. On a side note, during this same week, Cole had his storage unit broken into and did not know until he went to get his things to move into his apartment this same week. He lost many personal items from his childhood, his collections of mangas and anime, and superhero figurines that he had collected over the years, as well as things needed for his apartment. Some of his items can be replaced as they are materialistic, but not Sunny Bear!!! That was our only concern!

Sunny Bear was in the hospital for four days in Brownsville and then needed to be transferred to a specialty hospital in San Antonio for a blood transfusion and two nights in the hospital as well. He has a ways to go in his recovery, but thanks to everyone's prayers, SUNNY BEAR is a miracle dog and a TESTAMENT to God's Mercy and answered prayers!!!

We are asking for your continued prayers and support to help Cole with the cost of Sunny Bear’s treatments that he has had. Thanks to your prayers and kindness, Sunny Bear has made it through a tough time and is starting to recover — a real miracle. I’ve never prayed so hard in my life. Animals can touch our hearts in a special way, and Sunny Bear is a brave little dog who deserves a healthy, happy life.

Right now, Cole is facing a new financial challenge with medical bills over $8,000. Any help you can give — even just $5 or $10 — would mean a lot to Cole and Sunny Bear. Your support will help Cole and our family move past these expenses and focus on Sunny Bear’s continued recovery and his bright future.

Thank you so much for your continued prayers, your kindness, and any monetary support you can offer Cole and Sunny Bear. We pray that you are blessed in return. And remember — Be strong, Bear Strong!!!