Help Save Beans the Corgi!

Hi, All-

I am putting this out there to all of my MUNIverse friends in the hopes that you might be able to help save my dog, Beans the Corgi. For those of you who may not know Beans, let me tell you a little bit about him and our need for help.

Beans is an amazing 6 year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi. He loves to play ball, go to the beach, do tricks (he does a mean high five!), and meet new people. In fact, he has become something of a local celebrity in our neighborhood....probably because he's the only dog in the neighborhood who will carry his own leash when we go for walks. That, and the fact that he will pull me in the direction of the nearest human if there is a slight chance that he can get a belly rub.

I adopted Beans when he was just an 8 week old puppy. I had intended on adopting a red and white female, and when I saw his litter of 8 puppies, he just stood out to me. They say that you don't pick a dog, the dog picks you. Well he picked me that day, fell asleep in the crook of my arm and he has been with me ever since. In our 6 years together, the longest we have been apart was 10 days...and it wasn't easy!

We've gone on many a camping trip and long road trips up to Oregon so that my mom can see her "Grand-dog". The bond I have with Beans is like no other I have ever had with a pet. We just "get" each other. When I'm down, he knows it and is quick to comfort me with a lick to my face or just simply laying next to me. We have seen each other through some difficult times...kennel cough when he was a puppy, a torn dew claw, apartment moves, deaths in the family and my divorce two years ago.Without him by my side, I'm not sure I could have come through everything as well as I did.

This week, we had our worst nightmare come true. Beans literally went from being a happy, seemingly healthy little guy to being a parapleigic overnight! He was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD). We aren't really sure how it happened, but Tuesday morning when we went to go for our walk, he couldn't move and was dragging his back legs behind him. We rushed him to our local vet who took x-rays and determined that he had some sort of back injury. After giving us medication and having us confine him to a crate, she referred us to a Neurologist.

We went to see the neurologist, where we received some pretty upsetting news. He has ruptured disks in his back and he needs surgery right away to help him walk again. With the surgery, there is a 90% chance of recovery. Without it, his chances are 50/50. Of course, we want to opt for the surgery. However, we were given an estimate of anywhere from $4,993.78 on the low end, to $5,952.78 on the high end. This is why we are asking for your help!

We are responsible pet owners and have VPI Pet Insurance. However, VPI requires that all costs be paid up front, then have you submit a claim form, and may or may not cover the cost. When I spoke with VPI, given the diagnosis, they quoted me about $1,200 in coverage. We would still be short. Now, we have looked into credit cards, etc. but due to our financial situation and my recent divorce, we just can't swing it. Currently, I am the only one in the household bringing in a steady income and trying to support myself, my boyfriend, and little Beans....all while living in one of the most expensive cities in the country. Something has to give.

Without surgery, Beans could recover on his own, but there is no guarantee. Without surgery, he will most likely develop bladder issues and infections since he can not control his bladder and we are forced to "express" his bladder for him at least 3 times a day. This would just make his situation worse.

The only other option would be to put him down. He is only 6 and still has a lot of life left in him and sparkle in his eyes....the thought of doing this is too heartbreaking to bear.

We are good people who have a great dog and don't want to lose him simply because we cannot afford medical treatment. That being said, we are looking into other alternative options (other surgeons, holistic care, and possibly a wheel cart if the surgery doesn't happen). Your donation (no matter how little) will go directly to his care....I would then like to take whatever we raise and pay it forward so that no one else ever has to go through this feeling of helplessness when it comes to saving the life of their pet. I've never done anything like this, but if I don't try to ask for help, then I am doing him a disservice as a pet owner and friend.

Thank you so much for your consideration! (...and thanks for riding MUNI)

Yours Truly