This fundraiser has been set up to help cover the initial vet bill and the hotel costs, meal, and gas for our family to travel to and from the hospital as Teal'c fights for his life with a starting goal of $2,500. (GoFundMe will update goals as we go.)

Anything above our goal will be applied to his hospital bills, which are currently at a total estimate of $12,000 and will be documented in updates. If this fund happens to surpass those costs, anything above and beyond will be donated back to the MSU Lucky Fund, which offers financial assistance to animals in medical crisis.

Many community members know Teal'c, either personally or through my posts. He has been dubbed by strangers and friends alike as the "most happy, smiley dog" and "goodest boy," and always greets everyone he meets with a huge grin and wagging tail.

But those phrases don't even begin to describe the depth of Teal'c's character and loyalty. He has been our faithful companion since we brought him home as a pup 7 years ago, always happy and healthy.

Friday, October 17 - What started as a sweet day of getting our friends married quickly turned to a nightmare when we took a break from festivities to check on our pups. Brandon and I came home to find Teal'c immobile and barely responsive in a pool of his own drool and spit-up.

Our vet clinic was amazing at getting him in right away and looked over. There, he was diagnosed with acute prostatitis and an abscess the size of his bladder. He was experiencing incredible pain and the prognosis was dire.

Our small clinic was flummoxed and didn't have the resources to handle his delicate situation, so we were immediately referred to the MSU Small Animal Hospital.

This cost $555.

We quickly ran home to pack for a weekend downstate. I forgot my glasses, underwear, and a jacket, but grabbed his baby blanket. Everything else was replaceable in that moment.

We piled back in, picked him up from the clinic, and took a harrowing 4-hour drive downstate, racing the clock to avoid sepsis while trying to keep him as comfortable as possible on a bouncy road. MSU was absolutely incredible throughout intake and kept us updated on his status frequently, with each nurse and doctor commenting on what a sweet and precious boy he was with them.

Teal'c was admitted and stabilized. Several tests were taken to confirm the risk and degree of bacterial infection, the size and location of the abscess, and other concerning factors. They would monitor him throughout the night.

This required a $6,000 deposit.

Saturday, Oct 18 - Teal'c was admitted for surgery in the late morning. The doctors described the procedures they would perform, stating that his chances were a 50/50.

I spent the next several hours clinging to the baby blanket we brought him home in, and by 3:00 pm we were told he had made it through surgery and was doing well. He would need to be monitored overnight but we should be able to see him the next morning.

Sunday, Oct 19 - Teal'c is doing well but still has a long journey ahead of him. He will be staying at MSU Small Animal Hospital while we return to Alpena. This GoFundMe has been started to help cover costs as we travel between Alpena and Lansing and the initial vet bill, but we are in the middle of purchasing a new home and anything contributed to this unexpected event is deeply appreciated and will be contributed to his bills and the hospital itself.

If nothing else, please send Teal'c all of the good healing energy you have to spare.

Thank you so much for sharing our story as we continue this journey with my handsome boy. We love you, TDawg ♡♡♡

With Gratitude,

Grace