On Saturday, April 4 (just 2 days after his 7th birthday), our family dog, Theo got out of the house while someone was exiting the front door. My mom immediately chased after him. He went into a neighbor’s yard and ate something out of a bowl. My mom contacted the neighbor who said that it was chicken she put out for a “possum.” She claimed that she didnt remember when she had put it out. My mom noted that the chicken looked fresh (no smell or odd look) and the liquid it was in was clear and clean. Her assessment was that it wasnt a danger to the dog. However, the next day, Theo was lethargic, dehydrated and just pitiful. They rushed him to the vet where he was given treatment for a whole week for toxins in his blood. By friday, April 10, Theo’s kidneys had failed and he had to be euthanized. The vet’s opinion was that the content of the bowl most likely contained a toxin/poisonous item. My family and the other neighbors in the area have presumed that she put out poison because she has been very vocal about her dislike for animals since the day she moved in. It was the very first thing she said to us and the neighbors across the street. We dont have any hard evidence of this, so we haven’t been able to pursue legal action.

Before this tragedy, she claimed to be really good friends with my mom. So on friday, after we buried Theo, I approached her to ask if she would contribute to the vet bill, she refused. Her response was that it was Theo’s fault for eating it, and my mom’s fault for letting him enter her yard.

I am hoping to raise some money to help my mom and sister recover from the unexpected costs of the treatment that Theo underwent all week. They spent a total of $1,363. Though this may not seem a lot to some, this has drained their little bit of savings. Im just looking to help them get back on track so that they may mourn without the burden of the money.