OT: our wonderful dog, Blue, needs your help
Hello my fellow MGoBlog family, I rarely post but feel compelled to reach out for a good cause and am confident there is no better resource than the amazing and caring community on this blog, with whom to share my situation. My family has four dogs, three of whom are rescues. Two four-year-old females from the same litter are Boxer-Rottweiler mixed breeds that we named Maize and Blue (see the pics on the link). Our truly wonderful furry friends are family to us and rarely miss a game day to root on our beloved Wolverines.
A couple of days ago, while I was packing my daughter’s car to return her to college, Blue somehow escaped the backyard and jumped into my daughter’s parked vehicle, shaking like a leaf and bleeding from both legs on one side. After getting her inside the house, we realized something was seriously wrong when she could no longer stand. A trip to the animal hospital confirmed our worst fears that she may have been hit by a car, as her rear hip was severely dislocated and requires surgery. A lesser dog would not have survived!
I have agonizingly researched all the options and discussed them in great detail with the orthopedic and my family. We have reached the conclusion that a total hip replacement, while expensive beyond our means on two social workers’ salaries, is the only viable option given her size, age, and likely outcomes. This surgery would increase her chances of returning to normal to greater than 98% but will cost $7500 alone, not including the cost of splinting her front leg (fractures), antibiotics, pain meds, overnight stay, etc., which have already accumulated to over $1500.
The other less expensive surgeries would provide less than a 50% chance of regaining normal mobility. Blue is an otherwise healthy and high-energy gal who loves to run and play and has many years ahead of her if we can somehow pull this off. Her sister, Maize, has not been the same since Blue went away to the hospital. My daughter put together a Go Fund Me page to gather support (see link).
I have never asked for financial help with anything before but am making an exception in this case for obvious reasons as outlined above. If this is not an appropriate venue for such a request, then I’ll understand if the mods delete my wordy post. Please feel no pressure to contribute, but if you are led to do so, then please know that you will have our family’s sincere gratitude and appreciation for helping save our Blue!
If you prefer to skip the Go Fund Me page, donations can also be made to my Venmo @John-Derry-2. Thanks and Go Blue!!
Here is Blue!!
Maize and Blue!!
Spam @dog_rates on twitter, they repost campaigns like this relatively frequently and have 9 million followers.
Thanks for the tip!
Jomafalo, I hope you're able to get all that you need for the surgery and vet bills. I've got a soft spot for all animals, but especially rescues.
Best wishes, Blue!
Thanks!!
This hits too close to home. I lost my first dog when I was 8 to getting hit by a car. This is the first time I've donated to a Go Fund Me. I'm also sharing to Facebook.
Thanks so much!!
Ben, I know what you mean. My first dog was hit by a milk truck right in front of me. She was my best friend. Broke my heart to pieces!
I'm so sorry to hear, this is heartbreaking ?. I'm glad I could help in some way, even if it wasn't much. I wish Blue and your family the best. Please keep us updated.
My wife is a social worker, we have two dogs that are like our kids, my wife and I are sending our prayers and some funds as well!
Glad to help you and Blue with a small donation today. I love dogs and have had several over the years, including one who was run over some 45 years ago while I was away in college. I feel your pain.
Sharing your GoFundMe on Twitter, too.
I know how you feel my friend. We paid a similar amount a few months ago for one of our pups. He had an extremely aggressive lung tumor and an enlarged spleen that the vet told us if we didn’t take care of, he had no more than three months left to live. Had dogs all growing up but this dog was the first where I truly feel like he’s “my dog,” and I never wanted to look back later in life in regret, wondering if I should’ve done more for him.
While writing that check was not enjoyable, I’d do it all over again. Dogs are family, and while I still still have my moments once a week or so where I find myself crying over his situation (he’s ten, and I can’t realistically expect the tumor to not come back at some point), I know we made the right decision. Whatever happens to him from here, I can look myself in the mirror and say I did everything I could for him. My wife and I both agreed that when/if the tumor comes back, that is the universe telling us it’s time. And I can live with that.
Wishing you and Blue the best of luck. I sent a small donation your way. It’s not much, but I hope it helps. I always have a special place in my heart for dogs and stories like this hit close to home for me.
Sentiments echoed. Our 4 yr old German Shepherd needed to have one CCL repaired a few months ago and is about to have the other one done. Even so, I'm glad to pitch in some to help with Blue as well.
Thanks so much! Blue’s sister, Maize, has ACL issues in both knees but has managed to get by so far without surgery. Animal Ortho care has custom made braces that have saved her knees so far at a fraction of the price of surgery. We also give her supplements to help.
Keeping your dog in our prayers my friend. I’ve lost too many furry friends growing up to not to give my all to save this one if I can. Hang in there and thanks for your support!
Chipped in and passed along the link my friend. Hope things work out for the best. Do post an update (hopefully positive!) in a few weeks!
I'm at the in-laws without power in Walled Lake at the moment, but I'll donate when I get back to civilization.
Go Blue!
In for $100. Am a sucker for dog charities (lost my 11 year old Berner this year)
Go Blue!
So sorry for your loss... thank you for your generosity. Go Blue!
Thanks! Our girl was spoiled rotten and had a great life. We still miss her though.
We spent a lot hoping we could extend her life (splenic hemagiosarcoma) but it was just her time.
Hope we can help Blue!
PS Please let us know if the GoFundMe doesn't hit the target; will send you the $
I am a shelter worker with 2 rescues. I would hope if I were in this situation people would help me. I'm a bit poor so I can't contribute too much but I venmo'd you a little. I know Blue will be a Victor and the best!
FWIW I hope people who are lucky enough to eyeball itemizing lor have employer matching programs look at their local shelters.
We typically donate 4 figures to multiple shelters in our area; it does so much good!
As we have thousands of people that work in the field every day, a lot of our people carry the numbers for area rescues and shelters like MHS, HVHS and numerous others. We've saved quite a few animals in the years I've been where I am. I also have a rescue pitbull and I cannot imagine our family without Penny.
Every little bit helps.. thanks so much!
Hoping your dog gets the help it needs! I also had a dog named Blue, great name choice ??
Donated and tweeted out the link.
I hope and pray all goes well for your fur baby.
Thank you
Go Blue, save Blue! Beautiful story, wonderful dog, happy to help. Please keep us posted on Blue's health, for good or bad. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to support!
Will do. Thanks so much!
Just gave. Best of luck.
Thank you!!
Sorry to hear about your dog. That's super rough. I would be lost without my Dale. You have my sympathy and my money.
Thanks so much!!
We just had to put down our sweet girl down a few weeks ago. Cancer had spread so rapidly there were no treatment options. She was almost 13 and had a great life. But a 4 year old boxer rottie mix still has lots of life left and I’m sure lots of energy too. Venmo coming your way sir, good luck.
So sorry for your loss! Cancer took my 2nd childhood dog who was like a sibling to me. It was rough. Still had dreams about her for several years after. Thanks for your help!
Expected everyone to be shitty that someone was asking for money. Nice to see the community be nice and supportive. I feel warm and fuzzy. Literally, I'm warm and fuzzy. Because I'm koala. Cuddle with me. Caress me gently. Hear me moan with pleasure. Feel me quivering. Is this awkward. Yes, but it feels right. It feels like a long lost friend coming home. A familiar squeeze. A gentle sweet nothing in your ear. The hairs on the nape of your neck spring to action. Anyway . . . Hope this dog feels better and stuff.
I know this isn't helpful for you at the moment and is more of a PSA, but you can (and should if you care enough about your pets to seriously contemplate spending 10k on surgery) get insurance on your pets. Shop around and for about $30/mo per pet (depending on age and past history) you can get ~8-10k for emergencies with around a 1k deducible. We have this on all of our dogs so if something does happen to them, "should/can we spend the money for this" isn't a question we have to ask.
I'm in. Good luck. Our pets are part of our family.