Tony Gonzalez

Update — where things stand Still don't have a place to live. I'm sleeping in a tent in my mom's backyard in Hammond. The house isn't safe for me or Wrigley so the tent is it for now. Today I refiled my Notice of Appeal on the eviction. I'm fighting it — that eviction never should have gone down the way it did. Wrigley's still with me through all of it. He's my service dog and my son. He got diagnosed with a tumor in his gum (ameloblastoma) — benign but aggressive, and we're trying to get him into oncology either Purdue University or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for oncology. Thank you to everyone who's donated and shared. It matters more than you know. Please share the hell out of it so we can reach our goal. Currently I have 17 specialized docs that I’m working with to get me back to health and back into the workforce. As a caseworker told me when it came to my snap benefits is I need to focus on my health first because I can’t get back to work if I’m not healthy enough to get back to work, which is why she declared me as exempt for the 80 work hours for now indefinitely until I can get my health back in order so I go to doctor appointments at least 1 to 3 times a week and that’s going all the way back from Indiana to Chicago and back with Wrigley, my well-trained and ADA compliant service dog. He even sat through EMG appointment with me for two hours and the doctor forgot he was in the chair still just watching and laying down and watching us that tells you exactly how that works. Especially when everyone tells me that he behaves better than most humans. — Tony & Wrigley

Hi everyone, my name is Anthony, and I am urgently raising $5,500 to secure housing for myself and my medical service dog, Wrigley. Yesterday, we were dealt a devastating blow in court regarding our housing, which means we have to move immediately. I missed a previous court date because I suffered a documented medical emergency right there at the courthouse while court was in session. Yesterday, even with my medical records in hand proving this, the judge lied to my face, claimed he had no power to overturn the eviction, and unjustly denied me the right to even retrieve my basic belongings. My sister was sitting right there and witnessed this blatant violation of my rights. On top of this sudden crisis, I am also grieving the unexpected loss of a close friend. I am completely overwhelmed, and we are running out of time. I am currently fighting for my health on multiple fronts and desperately need a stable place to live so my body can recover. After surviving a near-fatal Hepatitis C infection last year with an 8.5 million viral load, my system went into a complete physiological collapse. I went from functioning on 4 to 6 hours of sleep my whole life to needing 16 to 20 hours a day just to survive. I also live with severe asthma, advanced carpal tunnel, and peripheral neuropathy in my feet, and I am waiting for a crucial rheumatologist appointment this November for a potential autoimmune disorder. Wrigley is my medical service dog and my lifeline through all of this. He is trained to perform life-saving tasks, like opening doors for paramedics if I have an asthma attack, and he has been by my side in every hospital and ER. Wrigley also has his own severe medical needs. Earlier this year, he suffered acute pancreatitis. To keep him alive, he requires a strict, freshly prepared diet and a highly regulated feeding schedule. A stable living situation with a reliable kitchen is literally a matter of life and death for both of us. Because I was denied access to my belongings, I am starting from scratch — including the framed memorial holding my late dog's ashes and paw print, still trapped inside that apartment. The $5,500 goal will go entirely toward our immediate relocation and basic survival: - First month rent: $1,600 - Security deposit: $1,600 - Moving truck and supplies: $400 - Emergency gap housing: $600 - Basic necessities, toiletries, and gas money for my sister helping me: $800 - Transaction fees and emergency buffer: $500 Any help to keep us together and keep both of us stable during the hardest week of my life means everything. If you cannot donate, please share this link. Thank you, Anthony and Wrigley.

Hi everyone, I’m reaching out for urgent support for my dog, Wrigley. He’s my best friend, son, platonic bond partner, service dog and life saver. Wrigley has saved my life on 2 separate occasions. He is scheduled for dental surgery this Thursday at the Anti-Cruelty Society, and we need help covering the upfront costs for his procedure, pre-operative clearances, and recovery care. What Happened On June 23, while I was packing boxes for our move, a box fell over and startled Wrigley. In the impact, a hard plastic toothbrush hit his mouth, cracking a tooth and causing severe trauma to the surrounding oral tissue. The next day, Wrigley had full bloodwork and cancer screening panels completed. All tests came back completely clear. Over the past year, I’ve worked hard to manage his health, stabilize his lab numbers, and get him to a safe, lean weight. During a subsequent emergency visit, the tissue injury was interpreted as a possible mass, and an expensive biopsy was recommended. Because that didn’t align with his recent clear labs, I sought a second opinion at the Anti-Cruelty Society. Their veterinary team reviewed his history, the June 24 records, the inflammation pattern, and the trauma site. They confirmed it is trauma rather than cancer. There is a cracked tooth directly behind the inflamed tissue, and Wrigley needs the damaged tooth extracted and the tissue treated so his mouth can finally heal. Why We Need Support Wrigley shouldn’t have to suffer due to negligence from a vet or issues with the landlord. It is completely unacceptable, and it’s not his fault that he has to fight through all of this with me. He just needs to be taken care of so he can be pain-free. Surgery and Care Costs The extraction, treatment of the inflamed tissue, and follow-up medications are estimated at around $475, plus the costs for pre-op exams and post-op care. Upfront Payment Requirement Wrigley has pet insurance, but the clinic requires full payment at the time of service before claims can be submitted for reimbursement. Current Housing Situation We are currently facing housing instability, which makes covering these upfront costs impossible right now without community help. How Funds Will Be Used All donations will go directly toward: • Wrigley’s dental surgery this Thursday • Required pre-op testing and post-op checkup deposits • Antibiotics, pain management, and recovery medications • Essential recovery supplies, including a mini blender for liquid meals and soft food To maintain full transparency, my total target goal to stabilize Wrigley’s medical care and living needs for the year is $2,050. This breaks down to: • $475 for surgery, medications, and clinical deposits • Overdue Lemonade pet insurance premiums to reinstate and keep his policy active • Transportation (Uber rides) to and from the Anti-Cruelty Society for surgery and follow-ups • Ongoing health maintenance, including his prescription diet, Simparica Trio, and dental care supplies Any insurance reimbursements received from this procedure will go directly back into Wrigley’s dedicated veterinary account to maintain his coverage and ensure his long-term care. Thank you so much for reading, sharing, and supporting Wrigley.