Smokey

About the Campaign

Tail Infection Has Gotten Worse

Smokey, a sweet 4-year-old Maltipoo, recently had surgery to remove part of his tail after he chewed it raw and bloody over Memorial Day weekend. Annette, his loving caregiver, rushed him to the vet as soon as the holiday ended, and the first surgery was covered using Care Credit and her last available credit card.

But now things have taken a turn for the worse! Smokey’s tail has become badly infected after the partial amputation.

 The vet says the safest and best option is to remove the rest of the tail—quickly—before the infection spreads or becomes life-threatening. Annette has no way to cover this second surgery and is overwhelmed with worry.

Originally her granddaughter Christina’s rescue, Smokey became Annette’s full-time companion when the family had to move for military service. He now lives alongside Marley and Gigi, but Smokey’s self-injury behavior—chasing and chewing his tail—has made life difficult and painful for him.

Annette is doing everything she can. She’s an in-home support provider for her 28-year-old autistic daughter, Alyssa. Her husband, Jose, just had open-heart surgery in May and can no longer work due to neuropathy. They’re on a fixed income, and with Annette taking care of the entire household, there’s simply nothing left to cover Smokey’s second surgery.

Annette doesn’t have the best phone for taking pictures, and isn’t the best photographer. Hopefully this won’t hurt Smokey’s chances to get help! Your donation will go directly toward getting Smokey the care he needs so he can finally heal and live pain-free, paid only to the vet. Estimate below, click to enlarge: