Shinzou's Wish

Update 9/20/23 You guys, this has been the biggest transition of my life and thanks to you, we made it to Las Vegas! It's so absolutely lovely here, I'm not afraid anyone about the anti trans Legislation and laws being passed. I feel so at peace, surrounded by stunning mountains, the city lights, and the people here are sweet as well! I've filmed the trip here, my first time seeing the light up tunnel of Freemont street, and a hike up a cliff right by my house! I'm so beyond grateful, I can't begin to thank you all enough my new life is beyond anything I could have hoped for! Please join me on my YouTube channel, LoveKoe!

Update 8/1/23 you guys have been amazing! With my parents and your's money that we've saved i get to have some things that I need for the biggest road trip I've ever been on! My dad and I are guna tell you all about it on his YouTube channel LoveKoe!

Shinzou’s Odyssey

My name is Shinzou, which means “heart” in Japanese. I’m a lively 7-year-old emotional support companion and have been told I’m the heart of my family unit, hence my name.

I feel so doggone lucky I found my current family. I’m a handsome and vivacious healer mix with a brief checkered past, I guess. Thankfully, when I was 8 months old, my two human dads, Koe and Nich, rescued me after a handful of disappointing placements in other homes. But life with these two guys –– I gotta say, it’s as good as it gets. They love me to the moon and back and, well, it’s mutual –– we are definitely a “forever family.” Unfortunately, the three of us must move from our great Florida home to another state, which is why I’ve commandeered this GoFundMe page! We really need a little help. There are a few things needed for the long trip that we can’t afford like a seatbelt for me and soft seat bed so I can lay down, and a new “emotional support companion” vest. We’ll also need extra funds for our multi-day journey to cover food, gas and any unexpected costs. I just want to be sure we make it all the way to our new home safely. After all, that’s my job…to give my humans support!

WHY WE’RE MOVING

I can tell both my dads love each other a ton. They’ve been together for a long time, even before I came along. What’s really an ear-scratcher to me, though, is the anger some other humans here are starting to show towards my dads, towards their relationship, their healthcare and their life choices. As far as I’m concerned, my dads are just about the coolest human beings ever. When they’re not playing with me, they’re both working really hard at their jobs to make life good for the three of us. They’re as honest as the longest day, very caring and respectful of others and generous to our community. What’s not to love about all that? Anyway, Florida’s mean anti-trans laws have caused our life to become scary and miserable, especially for one of my dads who is trans-male. He’s having a really hard time, particularly with the bathroom bill. Holy twisted dog biscuits! In my wildest dog dreams, I can’t fathom being told where to pee and where not to. Anyway, my dads tell me it’s now dangerous for trans humans living in Florida. Because of that, the three of us agree it’s time to move out of state. My dads are working hard to find a good home for us (near a nice park, I hope!), as well as new jobs.

Our plan is to leave Florida in September. We’ll be saying goodbye to so much: to the rest of our family, to so many long-time friends and to all my best play pals at the park. As you can imagine, this whole moving thing is going to cost a leg-and-a-paw. We won’t have a hair to spare. So, I’m doing my utmost to help by posting this GoFundMe page to help ensure our travel needs are covered and we’re able to make it safely to our new home. Your donation of any amount will make all the difference in the world. I will be so wiggly tail-waggingly grateful for anything you can spare. Thank you!

With pooch kisses & paw pats,

Shinzou

Emotional Support Canine Extraordinare

On behalf of and benefitting my dads, Koe and Nich Hensley

Update 7/24/23 Shinzou has commandeered the campaign

I will be video documenting EVERYTHING I do with your donations here on my YouTube: LoveKoe or @lovekoe

Update 7/22/23 all updates are current on my YouTube channel @lovekoe

Update 7/2/23 My amazing friend who's helping me get to Nevada shared with me this amazing news worth celebrating today! Nevada is becoming more inclusive every day!!

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/republican-nevada-gov-joe-lombardo-signs-bill-requiring-insurance-cover-gender-surgeries

With the new onslaught of anti trans laws I truly fear for my safety as a transgender man in the state of Florida. I need to leave when my lease is up September 1st in two months with my husband and my emotional support puppy Shinzou. We are going to be relocating to Henderson Nevada, just outside Las Vegas, a queer capital of the world, where we would feel the most safe and within range for my husband to transfer workplaces. I'm an independent mixed media artist and I work as a retail fulfillment associate full time, my husband is a call center manager, and Shinzou is the best boy who kisses away your tears when you cry

$5000 will cover first months rent, lasts, and a security deposit and fees. We will be leaving 90% of our furniture behind, taking only what we need, and sleeping on an air mattress until we can afford new furniture. One of my besties has a few friends that we might be able to contact to sleep on a couch on our journey to safety. She's also helping us scope out the apartments we're looking at in person I am truly blessed!

I talk a bit about what I'm going through emotionally on my YouTube channel so if you're interested in joining me on my journey please watch the past months videos on my channel LoveKoe. Thank you so much for reading this, wether you donate a dollar or share this post, it means the world to me to know I'm not alone and I have support from allys and the queer community. Thank you for your contributions to my physical and mental well being as well as my husband's peace of mind. Love, Koe