My name is Christopher Allen, an artist and educator based in Santa Cruz, CA.  As many of you know, my partner Steve and I lost our dog Sparky (who many of you also knew), who passed away at the age of 12 after a very sudden onset of a liver tumor. For those of you who do not know, Sparky was one of the most loyal and loving dogs. I got him from a rescue shelter when he was 2, and all he has ever wanted since was to be near me, protect me, and make me happy.
    It all happened within the space of 24 hours. In the morning he was fine, and by 10 in the evening he was at the emergency room, being x-rayed; the next afternoon he went into surgery. From the surgery, the doctors learned there was no way they would be able to save him, and we made the heartbreaking decision to put him to sleep while he was still under anesthesia.
      Expenses from the surgery, as well as other vet costs, total around $3500.  I was fortunately able to put this on an American Express card my mother had just signed me up for under her name.  I will use any funds donated to pay off as much of that credit card bill as possible.  Any money raised beyond that would be put towards getting a new car, as mine was stolen the day before Sparky got sick.  
       Words cannot express how devastating the last couple of weeks have been emotionally; the idea of adding further debt to my already somewhat considerable amounts of student loan debt and past credit card issues is, to say the least, stressful.  I have still not even been able to figure out when the first payment on the Amex is due, but I am sure it is soon.  It would mean so much to me to be able to not have to worry about these expenses, and instead focus my energy on my job, creating my art, and moving forward. Thank you all for your time and consideration.