Meet Charlie: a 4-yr old chihuahua mix who went missing, and was hit by a car, on 9/17/25. He is one half of an adorable duo that includes his brother Jack, and the light of my parents' eyes; two adults who have most recently grappled with their own physical health and financial issues.
Charlie had strayed from the yard along with his brother, Jack, but never came back home with him. With the help of a neighbor, my parents finally located him late that night, and luckily in a vet's care. The bad news: he needed surgery and stitches on his genitalia immediately, and eventually would need to have orthopedic surgery on his pelvis.
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching element was how this affected Jack. On top of potentially also being hit (no one knows for sure), he was unwilling to eat, drink and generally his spirit was broken without Charlie. Once Charlie was finally home, Jack's whole demeanor changed. We believe his behavior was primarily due to the psychological damage of thinking he'd lost his best friend. This is not confirmed though, and we are keeping an eye on Jack to ensure there aren't hidden issues.
Fortunately, we were able to keep Charlie pain-free while searching for a vet that could get him in within a week of the accident. On 9/25/25, Charlie received the specialized surgery at VSS in Manchester, MO at the lowest possible cost of $5k (previously estimated at $7-$9k.) We are so grateful for the vet's care and consideration for our financial capabilities when faced with the desperation of losing a beloved pet far too soon.
During economic times like these, I know it's hard to give up any hard-earned money, but even harder is to think we can do anything alone. Despite being currently unemployed, I am grateful to have the existing credit to help get Charlie the care he needed. My parents are committed to a payment plan, but the interest will require hundreds in additional fees.
Anything you can do to help is more than helping to save a dog's life, it's bringing hope to my parents during a time when it's hard to find, for any of us.
