I didn’t think I would make it when my wife died. We are/were young. Nothing like that should have happened. But it did, and I put all my life savings into giving her the best send-off I could. Then my “rock”—my only reason left for living—developed a blockage that threatened to kill him as well. I would have paid anything to keep him alive. But I had nothing to give.
I joined our family to be my Dad’s reason for living. Neither of us knew it then, but he would never have made it without me.
You see, my Mom and Dad fell in love with me instantly when they came to meet me. Which is cool cuz I fell in love with them too! Especially my Dad. We’ve been best friends since the day we met. Forming a bond that would withstand any storm.
Soon after I arrived, we moved to a cozier house and prepared for a life of bliss. Our little family was beginning a lifetime of happiness together. But two weeks later, my Mom could not breathe. It was very scary. I panicked. There were loud sirens and strangers in our home. One of the men who arrived said, “Asthma attack.” And then Mom was gone. I didn’t understand.
Her sudden departure left me in a state of despair. Dad, too, was engulfed in a sea of fear and sorrow. I tried to make him happy. I slept between his legs, followed him everywhere, asked him to play, and even brought him my Pom Pom ball. I did everything that usually brought him joy, but nothing worked. Nothing alleviated his pain.
But then I couldn’t try to comfort him. My body felt weird and hurt. I peed on the floor to let him know I was in trouble. Before long, I was screaming when I tried to pee. I wanted to be there for him but didn’t think I could go on.
Dad rushed me to the hospital. They said I was plugged up—maybe from the stress of losing Mom and worrying about him. I felt awful to be failing him. I heard him tell the people he felt like he was failing me. He couldn’t go through losing another family member. He said it felt like he was losing Mom all over again.
But then, Dad was happy. They told him about these cool people who give money because they know families like mine need to stay together. I wanted to keep Dad happy, so I stayed in the room with all the scary metal machines until I felt better again.
Message from T’Challa’s Dad:
I didn’t think I would make it when my wife died. We are/were young. Nothing like that should have happened. But it did, and I put all my life savings into giving her the best send off I could.
Then my “rock”—my only reason left for living—developed a blockage that threatened to kill him as well. I would have paid anything to keep him alive. But I had nothing to give.
Then you saved us. Yes, both of us. I think about all you people that give. I thank God for you every day. Someday I will find a way to give this ultimate gift to another animal lover in need. Thank you for doing it for me.