A message from Tucker's Dad:
'You gave my greatest friend a second chance at life and kept our family together. I will carry this gratitude with me for the rest of my life.'
I want to tell you about my 90 pound weighted blanket.
His name is Tucker. He is a napping expert. My parents and I vie for the privilege of having Tucker come sleep on our chest. That total sense of trust and unconditional love is unmatchable.
He joined our family through adoption from a close family friend, which makes his love feel even more special. None of us realized when my dad brought this 8-week-old puppy into our lives that he would bring us even closer, and make our house a home.
I’m a recent University graduate—making my life in the adult world. Tucher has been through every major challenge with me. From starting my first job, to breaking up with my sweetheart, to almost losing my sister and her newborn in childbirth. He isn’t “just a pet”. He is a part of what makes us a family.
He has always given me “bear hugs” when he senses I need them, including every day when I arrive home. Picture a 90 pound lab standing up and putting his front paws on your shoulders. It is his way of letting his pure love and excitement to see me be known - like seeing me again is genuinely the greatest thing that has happened to him all day.
Tucker’s medical emergency was completely unexpected as most are. Upon arriving to the emergency hospital, I spent all of the money I could just trying to determine what was wrong. We then learned that there were multiple pieces of various toys remaining in his stomach and small intestine, creating an obstruction that required emergency treatment. At that point, the cost increased well far beyond anything I could have anticipated or financially prepared for.
My family pooled together everything we could to save Tucker because none of us could imagine losing him over money. The harsh reality was that, despite everything my family and I pooled together, we couldn't do it alone.
Receiving help from the donors of Ellie's Rainy Day Fund is something I can’t fully put into words. Before learning that help was available, I was sitting in an emergency vet room fully believing that I was spending the last few minutes I had with my greatest friend - trying to find a way to say goodbye. I tried to explain to him that I had to break the one promise I have always held so closely between he and I - that I would stop at nothing to protect him and keep him healthy. Not because the treatment wasn't there, but because I couldn't afford the emergency surgery, hospitalization, and care that was absolutely necessary to save him. I felt completely helpless and broken on the inside. Tucker has carried me through some of the hardest moments of my life, and when it was finally my turn to help him through his, I felt like I was failing him.
Your assistance is so much more than help with a veterinary bill. It means I may get to bring my greatest friend home. It means my parents get more time with their 'grandpuppy'. It means more sunset walks, trips to the lake (or really any body of water), endless games of fetch, family gatherings that will continue to be exciting, giant bear hugs, nights cuddled together on the couch, and all of the ordinary little moments with Tucker that I have realized I am not ready to live without.
You gave my greatest friend a second chance at life and kept our family together. I will carry this gratitude with me for the rest of my life.
--Tucker’s Dad
