THIS IS MY BENJI. WITHOUT YOUR HELP, HE MAY NOT SURVIVE

Hello. My name is Teresa. I adopted Benji as a rescue. It was love at first sight. We instantly became a family, each dependent solely on each other for companionship and affection, so you might say we “rescued” each other. He is diabetic but was doing fine with medication—until our nightmare began a few weeks ago.

Benji stopped eating, couldn’t keep anything down and suddenly became lethargic. Benji’s regular veterinarian was not available, so I had to rush him to an animal emergency hospital to save his life. The diagnosis was grim: kidney failure, pancreatitis, plus he needed an immediate blood transfusion. He was hospitalized for 10 days. The initial bill amounted to more than $22,000. At home, Benji would seem to be holding his own but suddenly needed further emergency care on several more occasions, so the bills kept mounting. What’s more, he started bumping into walls. The veterinary eye doctor said Benji had become essentially blind from diabetic cataracts. When Benji is strong enough, his cataract surgery will cost approximately $8,000.

The doctors demanded immediate payment. I asked if they could work with me as some months ago I lost my job and have no income. The answer was No. Without payment, no treatment. So I had to put these onerous charges on my credit cards. I will never return to that unfeeling practice. I keep looking for work but have so far been unsuccessful.

This has become a twofold nightmare—both emotionally and financially.

Please, I desperately need your help. Benji is my baby. I would do anything to save his life. He is all the family I have and the most important thing in my life. I would be forever grateful for whatever assistance you can provide, whether sharing my plea on social media and/or donating what you can. I hope I can count on your good will and generosity to help save Benji’s life. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!