I almost always hesitate asking people to support causes. A lot of people are going through rough times right now, and having someone you trust (you trust me, right, Internet?) start asking you to part with your precious cash to save the Green-Bellied Dung-Eating Toad can get annoying awful quick.
Nevertheless, in the midst of wallowing in my self-pity yesterday and early this morning, I clicked over to check out Jen’s blog. Quite a few of you probably already read Jen, so please bear with me for the recap.
Jen is one of the most giving, loving people I know. She’s a good mom. She’s a good friend. And Jen’s family has been through a world of hurt this year. They, like me, like most of us, just didn’t need one more thing.
Naturally, the Universe responded with yet another crappy event. Jen’s son Eric has a little dog named Annie. Annie is kind of a crazy little thing (I’m not being mean, Jen will tell you!), but she is adorable, and she is part of the family, and she is, most importantly, the light of Eric’s life.
Annie also needs some very expensive surgery. She tore all the ligaments in one leg and she is in a lot of pain. Apparently, the surgery is the only option for saving Annie. Even if there are any alternative treatments, they would cost many hundreds of dollars that the family doesn’t have.
What really made me burst into tears was reading in the comments that Eric had already told Jen he understood, it was too much money. Then I read that Eric’s younger brother had been putting up signs offering to do odd jobs to help pay for the surgery. I dissolved into a snotty, blubbering mess.
It isn’t fair. I am so sick of seeing really crappy things happen to really wonderful people.
So I decided. I am going to take every piece of poo the Universe is flinging at me and I am going to respond by trying to make things better for someone else.
I’d like to start with Annie. And I’m going to ask you to help me.
At the urging of one of Jen’s readers, she set up a paypal account where people could donate for Annie’s surgery fund. Amazingly, she has already gotten almost $900 in donations, but the surgery costs at least $1600.
I don’t have much to give, but I’m giving what I can. Please help me say to the Universe “You are not taking this dog away from this kid because of a lack of funds.” Please help make a difference for this family. Give five dollars. Give a dollar. If you just can’t give, you can still help by posting this on your own blogs, tweeting it, putting it on your Facebook pages… heck, do all of that anyway. I know a lot of you have larger readerships than me – I figure it’ll take about 150 people donating $5 each to get to the goal.
So if there are ten of you here, and you each know ten people I don’t know, and train A leaves Boston going 63 miles per hour, what time does Timmy need to be at the airport? Seriously, I can’t do the math but I know the Internet can be a huge driving force to get things done. If you can, click over to Jen’s blog and give what you can. The PayPal link is in her right sidebar.
Please. Help give Eric his Annie back.
You are good to the core, you know? It will be paid back to you, I just know it.
Aw, shucks.
I’m not quite as saintly as you’re making me out to be, but thanks.
I dont even know what to say — finally this afternoon I had JUST stopped crying feeling so incredibly overwhelmed with how so many people had come together to help our family (particularly Eric and Annie) and I saw this. And now I cry again.
Coco – THANK YOU. Thank you. No matter if another cent comes in or not, we will do the surgery for Annie. And the lesson we have learned through this is that we (as a family) are not alone. TO BE CLEAR — UNIVERSE I am done with lessons!!! But this one has been taught and learned well. We are incredibly greatful.
I am not sure if Eric understands the HUGENESS of this, but I will ENSURE that all my boys are taught it over and over and over again. We will NEVER forget about how the kindness of strangers helped a little boy and his little dog. And there is nothing particularly special about our Annie, I know that, except for the fact that she has helped my son through some difficult times and taught him a lesson we struggled to – which was about unconditional love. She taught him how to love, and how much we loved him.
THANK YOU net world. Thank you Coco.
Jen
I’m so glad you’re doing the surgery no matter what, Jen. But I have a feeling you’ll be seeing more donations come in before this thing is through.
I wish I could do more, but I can do these small things, and I need no other thanks than knowing Eric will not have to say goodbye to Annie just yet.
hugs to you, my friend.
This is why I love you, Coco. You are an amazing woman. (((((HUGS)))))
I did it…and am putting it on my blog. You are wonderful and compelling. Thanks…
[...] I read this on Mommyhood and Life, Coco’s blog and I found myself reading a new-to-me blog by a woman named Jen. And then I donated (albeit a [...]
Oh, you know I’ll help!!! It’s been a whirlwind of vet bills for three months around here, so I totally understand. Love ya, Coco!!!