Let's Help Ray and Judy Bohnert

After years of doctors ignoring complaints of pain and cold in both of his legs, a walk in clinic doctor sent Ray in for emergency diagnostic testing just before Chirstmas,  when a pulse could not be found in his legs and ankles. He was diagnosed with advanced arthersclerosis in both of his legs as well as heart arteries. Surgery was scheduled and Ray went into hospital on Jan 19th for what should have been a fairly common, although complicated surgery. A routine spinal tap was put in to help to contol the pain for the first few days post surgery. There is a 3/1000th of a chance that the spinal tap could cause paralysis and unfortunately the morning after surgery, Ray was one of the unlucky ones. He was paralyzed from the procedure. Over the two weeks since, he has regained some feeling in his legs and can move his toes, but the prognosis is not known. He will now be in ICU for a few more weeks and then in hospital for a couple of months while he works on regaining his mobility. After that there will be months of physio.  A surgery that Ray and Judy thought would help him regain quality to his life, and should have been a week long stay in hospital, has turned into a nightmare.

Judy and Ray Bohnert have dedicated their lives to purebred dogs. Equinox Dobermans and more recently Miniature Pinschers, have been known across Canada and the US for many decades. They have lived in several provinces and communities across Canada, but they decided to retire in Keremeos, BC. While it is a beautiful community, they are now very far from all of the resources that Ray is going to need. Travel to Kelowna Hospital is almost 2 hrs each way for Judy right now and while she works on having him transfered to the closer Penticton Hospital once he is moved from ICU, the cost is becoming insurmountable. She wants desperately to be with him and of course he wants her there, but it is very difficult.
Married for 48 years, and both retired, they have lived on their pensions for since moving to Keremeos,  supplementing it with Ray's computer work. Even though it wasn't a lot, they were able to keep their heads above water with that little extra income. Now without Ray being able to work and with all the extra expenses that have occured during this time (including a furnace break down during the coldest spell of the year and her van needing repairs after a trip to Kelowna to see Ray) , Judy is having a hard time just making ends meet and that doesnt include travel and hospital expenses.
This GoFundMe campaign is to help one of our breeders, the backbone of our sport, at a time when they really need our support. Ray and Judy are not always out there at shows, but there are many handlers out there, including myself, that have proudly shown her dogs over the years to the dog fancy. While they may have to step back for a while from their sport, they will be back once life becomes a little simpler. Judy has placed all of her dogs except her heart dog, Steele, so as to make things a little easier at home. I hope that we can pull together for this couple in a time of crisis.