Hello, this fundraiser is for all kindred spirits, giving souls, and animal lovers everywhere.

Our Chihuahua Nikki was recently lost and went missing for 6 days, since Friday 5/23. We live in Pleasant Hill, MO, and work in Gladstone. Little Nikki was staying for the day at a family member's house from the morning until the end of our workday at 6:00 PM. This was the only time we've ever let her stay anywhere but home, and we planned on picking her up after work to go on our camping trip to Smithville. It would've been her first trip/vacation! That evening, Nikki ran away by slipping out of her collar and going through a garage door while it was opening. She was panicked and likely searching for us in the unfamiliar neighborhood. Once we were notified that this took place, we immediately abandoned work and went to find her and hopefully bring her back safely. We had no luck in finding her that night and put out notice anywhere we could.

We walked door to door every night asking for any details related to her, desperate for any sightings or information that could point us in the right direction. We put up lots of posters everywhere within a 3-block radius from where she was lost and posted so much online trying to find her, hoping someone would call us about her whereabouts or just to let us know she was safe.

We monitored Ring cameras, the Ring Neighbors app, Nextdoor, Pawboost, consulted experts for advice, set up her favorite scented items near her escape point, called every animal shelter in the area, everything. We searched up and down Gladstone's main roads endlessly. The support of our family, neighbors, and animal lovers online meant everything and helped us carry on emotionally and mentally, beside our worries.

The good and bad news:

Today, Thurs. 5/29, we finally got the good news we have been praying for. We received a call from Gladstone Animal Shelter that she was found but has been badly injured. We are so relieved that we've gotten back our missing piece of the family and eternally grateful that she is alive and mostly well. We have reached out to personally thank everyone involved, especially the kind-hearted resident who located her and called it in to the Animal Shelter.

Nikki was taken to the Animal Clinic of The Woodlands for examination and an X-ray. The bad news is, unfortunately, she suffered some sort of impact to her back legs and one of them had been dislocated. Her leg has been separated from her hip socket at the joint. She cannot use her back leg as it is only muscle tissue, ligaments, and skin keeping it intact. She has been in a lot of pain ever since and needs to remain on medication to get by right now.

Our Nikki needs surgery to have her injury fixed due to the severity. We have been able to put down the deposit but are struggling to make up the rest. We have had Nikki for 6 years and she is our (old) little baby at the age of 13. We have missed her so much since she's been gone. We want to make sure we can provide the best quality of life for our Beanie Baby (her nickname is Bean).

If you, or anyone you know, can help out, we would greatly and dearly appreciate it. Please help us give Nikki the best treatment possible, ensure she has an excellent recovery, and make a difference in her life and ours.

The remaining surgery cost is over $1000 and her operation is on 5/30. We are handling most of the medical costs already. Anything helps at this point, even the smallest amounts. Our hearts are full since Nikki has been reunited with us, but we are in need and seeking help.

Thank you for taking the time to review this. We wish the best for you and yours.