Dearest Doggo

I’ve always said that if I ever became a millionaire, I would cruise GoFundMe to make strangers’ dreams come true. As a person, I’ve always believed in sharing wealth and that if you shared your abundance, karma would have a way of paying you back for your good deeds. Normally, I’m far from in abundance enough to help someone, but in January of last year I wound up breaking my leg while I was walking into my office on a patch of black ice in the parking lot. My job was fantastic about it and covered the medical bills and subsequent hospital stay, and as a result, I did wind up with a settlement.

Enter Khoje.

In the weeks leading up to the receipt of the settlement, I’d seen more and more reoccurring posts from a friend, Joanne, in California that I’d known for years regarding her dog Khoje. A few years ago, the dog was hit by a car and it shattered her front leg, and the vet did some corrective surgery, putting in a metal bar and something like twelve screws in. Now, Joanne adopted Khoje after the accident and it was disclosed by the shelter that this had happened. However, she was starting to get concerned because the dog was starting to get really lethargic and favoring that leg. Upon some gentle investigating, she realized that the bar was working its way out of the dog’s skin! It was causing infection, discomfort, and she needed to get it removed! The sooner, the better.

Between the medications, rehab, vet visits, and a whole shift to a new diet, Joanne didn’t think that they were going to be able to get Khoje the surgery she desperately needed to ensure that she had any sort of a quality of life. They were already strapped after moving cross country from New Jersey to California, and taking on all the medical issues that needed remedied with Khoje was just not something they were prepared for. The GoFundMe was a last ditch effort at saving Khoje’s life, hoping for the kindness of strangers.

Let me be the first to say, I have a bleeding heart for animals. I would volunteer at animal shelters if my single parent schedule would allow for such a use of my time. Plus, I had just had two metal bars and dozens of screws just installed in my leg after a traumatic break, so I felt a little kinship for this dog. I bookmarked the page while I was waiting for the check and bided my time patiently.

Once my check came and cleared, I started the agonizing task of paying off bills and rent, making sure my kids and boyfriend were going to have a good Christmas, when I saw there was an update from Joanne on Khoje’s surgery. One of the Los Angeles area rescue programs was helping them with the cost of the surgery, but it still left about $1600 for an out of pocket cost for them. The entire time she’d been posting and sharing the page for help, she’d not amassed even most of that. When I got onto the page, ready to help, she had $1,405 left and only one day to get it. She confided to her facebook friends that she was extremely worried about making up that last bit and was understandably concerned about what sort of quality of life Khoje would have if they couldn’t afford the surgery to remove that bar and the screws from her bone.

I didn’t tell her I was going to do it, but I donated all of what she needed so that the surgery could be done. It was a matter of minutes before she sent me a message in absolute elation and tears, asking if I had mistyped a donation. I advised that I had intended to so such, and that I hoped very much that Khoje would feel better after the surgery. I just wanted to ease that financial burden from her shoulders, and no animal should have to suffer.

The good news is, the surgery was a success and everything was removed without an issue! And the even better news? I get constant updated and videos of how she’s recovering and she is a very happy, and healthy, doggo.