Man Puts His Car Up For Sale To Help Save His Dog's Life
Randy Etter was willing to give up his car to save the dog who had been by his side since puppyhood. When Gemini suddenly got sick, the situation turned into a race against time, and the vet bills were far more than Randy could handle on his own.
What started as an ordinary day with Gemini playing near a baby bottle quickly became a frightening emergency. After the dog swallowed part of the bottle top, Randy bounced from vet to vet, trying to figure out what was wrong while the costs kept climbing.
Then a surgery estimate, a car for sale, and a wave of community help changed everything. Read on.
No one had a clue that Gemini had swallowed something he shouldn't have until he became very unwell.
“He just started to slow down, and I didn't think that was normal; he was just laying beside me and following me everywhere,” Randy said.
“I just felt like he was saying, ‘Help me.’”
Before long, Gemini began vomiting nonstop, and Randy knew something was very wrong. He immediately rushed Gemini to the vet, but initially, they couldn't figure out what was wrong with him.
"I lost my job driving from vet to vet, and it just seemed like I wasn't going to get anywhere or get him the help he needed in time," Etter said. "It was truly one of the scariest things I had to deal with."
Eventually, a vet confirmed that Gemini had a severe blockage and would need surgery. The surgery would cost $4,500, which was money that Randy just didn't have.
But losing Gemini wasn't an option, so he decided to put his car up for sale to raise the funds.
That is when the story really turned into a community effort.
And if you’re thinking “what if they had been checked sooner,” this is like the old dog with a big tumor who finally got care after neglect.
“I was going to spend every dollar made from the car sale on his surgery,” Etter said. “I would be devastated if I lost my best friend.”
Eventually, a friend offered to lend Randy $2,000; however, that still wasn't enough until a local charity heard of his story and decided to help.
The S.O.A.R. Initiative (Street Outreach Animal Response) raised almost $3,000 in donations to ensure Gemini could get his surgery.
Gemini made it through the operation exceptionally well and is recovering at home with his loving best friend and family.
Randy is eternally grateful for the help he received, which allowed him to save his best friend's life.
"It means the world to me," he said. "He's my best friend. He's always there for me; I just wanted to be able to return the favor and be there for him."
Some friendships are worth every sacrifice.
Gemini’s mystery swallowed problem is heartbreaking, but see how a puppy nearly died until rescuers got there.
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