My name is John, and I am asking for help to pay for the vet bills for my beautiful 11-year-old boy, Dunkin, whom I sadly had to put down.

He was taking medications for an enlarged prostate which didn't seem to help. Over the past few weeks, he started urinating and deficating in the house more and more to `a point that he was constantly trying to go to the bathroom. In addition, he had sprained his right leg jumping off of the bed. The anti-inflammatory medication did nothing to help. I end up taking Dunkin to an emergency animal hospital in the middle of the night which end up being the last moments we had together.

I am 69 yrs old and have lived in South Brunswick, NJ for the last 25 years.

I am on a fixed income (Social Security).

The benefits are barely enough to pay for the basics bills and my resources are dwindling down. Before retiring, I worked for Home Depot and BMS the previous 10 years.

Dunkin is the only one I had, my best friend and partner in this life. From the first day he came home with me 10 years ago, he jumped in bed along side me and snuggled up under my arm happy to have a home.

Dunkin was always ready for a walk or, better yet, a ride in our van to the park, McDonald’s for a plain hamburger, or just go out for a ride to the store. When I first got him, he had some separation anxiety. I remember shortly leaving him in the car at the Nursing home at my uncles memorial. My father and I were in the lobby and heard someone say something about a dog. The automated sliding door opened up and in comes Dunkin; tail wagging and what seamed a smile on his face saying, “I found you.”

Dunkin was a tracker and hunter - he loved it!

I think he was a mix of lab, coonhound and maybe German Shepard. I just told people when asked that he is a Black and tan north American nuckelhead. He was originally a stray from South Carolina rescued from the streets when he was young. He found himself at the Helmetta N.J. animal shelter where my young 12 yr old niece bought him for her grieving depressed uncle (me) whom had recently lost his beloved Cody, a 14 year old Alaskan Husky.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Any contribution will help me greatly and appreciated more than you know.