LoreleiHI has asked me to put this message from her at the top of the diary:
Dervish has now died. There is no more need to keep donating unless you want to contribute towards another service dog. I thank you all for your help in my time of need. If you want your donation returned to you, please kosmail me.
There are no words to convey my thanks, or the help you gave in making Dervish comfortable until the end.
Mahalo nui.
Please read the final update: Dervish has been put to sleep due to his severe injuries.
This evening, I heard from a friend - LoreleiHI. She and her service dog, Dervish, were in a car accident. Lorelei is in the hospital with nothing more, thankfully, than severe muscle strain. The van's airbag did its job for her.
But Dervish was not so lucky.
Dervish has a spinal injury. Even so, in his injured state, he was following his training, and alerting to her condition.
Lorelei has forwarded to me the vet's estimates of his treatment costs so far, and costs to surgically repair his injuries. Current treatment is up to $1,218.75, and the estimate for the surgery and post-surgical treatment is $4912.79, but could be more. The vet requires 50% deposit, so the the immediate need is $3,350.00. Because Lorelei is disabled, her fixed income does not stretch to accommodate this sudden expense.
If you can help, Lorelei and Dervish would appreciate any contribution. She would prefer that any donations go straight to the vet's office. Dervish is the most important thing to her right now, and she is desperate to get him the care he needs.
Here is the text of the email from the vet:
Hi Mrs. Wilkes,
My name is Dr. Jennifer Rudnick and I am taking care of Dervish. Dervish has a spinal fracture and will need surgery to repair it. His neurological status is such that he has motor or the ability to move his hindlimbs, however it is greatly decreased. The goal of surgery is to place implants that will stabilize his vertebrae.
His ability to regain full neurological function of his hindlimbs is unknown at this time, diagnostic imaging (MRI or CT scan) would be better able to tell us the status of his spinal cord injury. The plan is to hospitalize, consult with our surgeon as to whether or not to go to surgery tonight, and then either tonight or tomorrow morning perform CT or MRI and then perform surgery.
Attached you will find the estimates for s,urgery and hospitalization. Someone would contact you prior to surgery. Please email back if you are okay with this estimate , please give me a written authorization, your payment method (we require 50% deposit), and then a CPR status for your pet (to resuscitate or not resuscitate in the event of your pet cardiac arresting- only a precaution that we require from all owners). If you are paying with a credit card, please either email or text me (248) 396 8718, the 16 digit credit card number, three digit code on the back, and expiration date [emerldmaiden's note: And your name as it appears on the card, plus that it's for Dervish). If you have questions about payment, please email me those questions. [emeraldmaiden's note: The email address is: community@mvmc.vet]
The total estimate is both of the estimates combined, so a deposit of $3,350 would be required.
We have given Dervish pain medications and he is comfortable and stable. He is a very good dog.
Thank you and sorry about your accident,
Jennifer Rudnick
ETA: If you're able to send a little something to the vet, please let us know in comments. You can email Lorelei at loreleihi@live.com or kosmail her here to let her know the amount, if you'd rather keep that private. Tips, recs, and shares welcome, too.
Of course, all well-wishes are welcome, too.
Wed Oct 14, 2015 at 7:06 PM PT: You can send Paypal donations directly to LoreleiHI using loreleihi@live.com.
Wed Oct 14, 2015 at 7:15 PM PT: A GoFundMe campaign has now been opened for Dervish. You can find it here
Wed Oct 14, 2015 at 7:58 PM PT: LoreleiHI is now on her way home from the hospital. She should be popping in here soon.
It's going to feel lonely without her Dervish.
Wed Oct 14, 2015 at 8:44 PM PT: Gofundme is at $275 as of right now. I know that donations have also been coming in via Paypal, and I don't know if anyone has sent directly to the vet, so the grand total is as yet unknown. When LoreleiHI gets home and on the computer, she can help with the update. Assuming the meds from the ER haven't knocked her flat, that is.
I'll pop back in first thing in the morning, and then I'll be gone all day, with only my phone for checking in.
4:14 AM PT: Wow! This community is amazing! GoFundMe is at $1631!!! Last I heard, Paypal was at $320 - nearly $2,000!!!
And the vet is allowing a deposit on the first estimate, so if we can find a way to get that to her .. I have a germ of an idea. After I pour some coffee on it, we'll see if it's viable.
Again, YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!! The love that is pouring out of this community for LoreleiHI and Dervish warms the cockles of my black little heart. A huge THANK YOU from me.
6:08 AM PT: We're up to $2,012 in GoFundMe!!! Amazing, amazing big-hearted community.
This is my last update for a while. Watch the comments for more. I'm sure LoreleiHI will update, and others are watching the GoFundMe grow.
4:26 PM PT: Here is LoreleiHI's update to the GoFundMe page:
Everybody who has helped, thank you so very much.
The decision was made today, based on the advice of the neurologist, to put Dervish down. It was also based on the fact he was visibly miserable and not acting like himself. While we were waiting for the nurses to prepare, he dragged himself onto my lap for the last time, with great effort, and rested his head on my arm with a sigh. He died happily held in my arms, being told he was a good, brave dog.
Much more was raised than was needed for his care up to that point, and for his (forgive me) single cremation and retention of his remains and some of his fur. The final bill was a touch under $750.
Now there is what to do with the excess. Shall I return it, or put it toward a new service dog with the group I was training Dervish with?
I leave it to you.