UPDATE: A big THANK YOU to everyone who donated and shared Riddick’s story! We have met our goal between the amount raised on GoFundMe and the amount that was called into the clinic. Riddick’s surgery went smoothly and he is so far recovering with no post-op complications.

Hi everyone, meet Riddick. Riddick is a 2 1/2-year-old dog, a member of the good boy club, and his mom's best friend. Riddick has been with his mom since he was 3 months old when she adopted him from a shelter. Riddick and his mom have been through a lot recently. Riddick's mom was a victim of domestic violence. Riddick has stood by his mom's side and defended her numerous times during fights, stepping in between his mom and her abuser to keep him from hurting her, to the point where he has even saved her life from her abuser multiple times.

Riddick's mom lost everything but was finally able to leave her abuser, moving to this area. To make this move, Riddick's mom had to make a tough decision and surrender Riddick to a shelter that could keep him under a domestic violence exception while she got back on her feet. Riddick's mom promised him it wasn't goodbye, it was see you later. She would come back and get him and take him to a new house, where they were safe, and Riddick didn't have to see his mom get hurt anymore. It took Riddick's mom a little longer than expected to get back on her feet and she almost lost Riddick because of that, but his mom was determined nonetheless, and they were finally reunited. After struggling to find and afford housing, Riddick and his mom finally found a place of their own to call home, where the only tears shed are happy ones, the only yells you hear are from joy, and the cuddles, tail wags, and hugs are endless.

Riddick has saved his mom's life and now she needs to return the favor. Riddick came to VCA Valley Animal Hospital for not feeling the best. Riddick's mom knew something wasn't right when Riddick wasn't interested in eating and not acting like himself. Riddick's mom brought him in for vomiting and having diarrhea. Upon further diagnostics, it was determined that Riddick ate something he shouldn't have. Riddick needs life-saving emergency exploratory surgery to remove the foreign body. Riddick's mom can't imagine life without him. She's had so much taken away from her and lost a lot. She can't stand the thought of losing him too.

Our goal is to raise $1500 to help cover the costs of the surgery. Every little bit helps. She’s worked this hard and came this far to keep him by her side. Please consider donating to keep Riddick and his mom together for many more years to come.