Man Immediately Puts His Car Up For Sale To Save His Dog's Life

[catbyte]

"I would be devastated if I lost my best friend.”

BY CAITLIN JILL ANDERS

Randy Etter and his dog Gemini have been together since Gemini was just a little puppy. It’s been around two years now, and the pair are the absolute best of friends. They love each other so much and brighten each other’s lives every single day — so when Etter found out he might lose Gemini, he vowed to do absolutely everything he could to save his life.



Gemini was playing with Etter’s girlfriend’s daughter one day four weeks ago, and the baby thought it was hilarious to continuously throw her bottle out of her playpen at Gemini. Gemini would pick it up every time and his dad would quickly grab it from him, wash it off, and give it back to the baby — but at some point, Gemini got ahold of the bottle without his dad realizing and ended up eating the top off of it.

No one had any idea that Gemini had swallowed something he wasn’t supposed to — until he started getting very, very sick.

“He just started to slow down and I didn't think that was normal, just laying beside me and following me everywhere,” Etter told The Dodo. “I just felt like he was saying, ‘Help me.’”



When Gemini started vomiting uncontrollably, his dad knew something was very, very wrong, and immediately rushed him to the vet. Unfortunately, at first, no one could tell him for sure what was wrong with Gemini.

“I lost my job driving vet to vet to vet and it just seemed like I wasn't gonna 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.”



Finally, a vet was able to confirm that Gemini had a blockage inside of him and would need surgery — which would cost $4,500, money that Etter definitely did not have. Losing Gemini was not an option, though, and so he decided to put his car up for sale to try and raise at least part of the money to save his best friend’s life.

“I was gonna 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 was able to loan him $2,000, but it still wasn’t enough — until a local charity heard about his plight and decided to do everything they could to help Etter and Gemini.

The S.O.A.R Initiative (Street Outreach Animal Response) heard about what was happening to Etter and Gemini, and were able to raise nearly $3,000 in donations from total strangers who just wanted to help the best friend pair continue their life together. With all of the donated money, Gemini was able to have the surgery — and made it through with flying colors.



Gemini is now recovering well, safe in the arms of his dad and best friend. Etter is so grateful to everyone who helped him keep Gemini alive, and can’t imagine what he would have done without everyone’s support.



“It means the world to me,” Etter 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.”

https://www.thedodo.com/close-to-home/man-almost-sells-car-to-save-dogs-life

[Demovictory9]

1. That story makes me both happy and sad

Sad medical care and vet care is so expensive

[samnsara]

3. 500$ for a cracked canine tooth extraction... my dogs never get bones anymore...

[William Seger]

7. My dog went blind from cateracts caused by diabetes

... a $4000 surgery. Then, over 4 years of insulin twice daily, special dog food, and vet bills, I suppose I probably spent close to $20,000. Friends thought I was crazy, but you don't let your best friend down.

[broiles]

10. Been there, done that and he lived to be almost 17. Best money I've ever spent.

[sinkingfeeling]

11. Ditto. Mine had two eye surgeries after complications from the cataract

surgery. Diabetic and had Cushing's as well. She lived 5 years from diabetes diagnosis, to over 13.

[spooky3]

12. Spent nearly $10k on surgery and cancer chemo

To try to save my cat. Sadly, he did not beat the odds. But we tried our best and he fought hard.

As you said, you don’t let your best friend (or family member).

[busterbrown]

15. Vet Care Costs are tricky..

They seem to always cap their treatment including operations at a price which most people can manage or barely manage..Animal lovers will do anything to not lose their best friends.. Whats really sad is that humans can not do the same...even with insurance...

[Demovictory9]

18. yeah, they are very tricky. My vet stopped adding on charges when I began balking at cost

costs of my cats surgery.. $2000 plus. I figure they decided they had gotten enough out of me.

[samnsara]

2. my 12 yr old dog had this..when she was on a BARF ( bones and raw food) diet after all.....

..the poisoned dog food scares. They can even eat raw chicken bones...BUT NOT WHEN THEY HAVE ACCESS TO HORSE HAY CUBES! This resulted in a blockage and horrible projectile vomiting and the vet said there was an obstruction. He used mineral oil and message and saved her from surgery. Also never give your dogs corn on the cob to chew on. Glad Gemini is better.. they feel really bad during this time too.

[Corgigal]

4. Scary

Been there. My corgi puppy gulped down a cat toy at the age of 5 months. Couldn't hold down water after 24 hours, and since it was soft it wouldn't show on X-ray. So she had emergency surgery that day and we had to leave her at a 24 hour emergency clinic. Cost over 2 grand and she's now 4 years old and I feel lucky I could get that money that fast.

I'm happy people cared.

[femmedem]

5. I had a rabbit with an obstruction. The surgery was $2000. I was working as adjunct faculty.

I had to put it on a credit card--and when the credit card company moved the payment due date up a couple of days in the fine print of a mailing, I was late on a payment and the interest jumped to 29.9%.

But I'd do it again. When you take in a pet, you make a commitment to them. They depend on you for everything.

My little two-pound rabbit lived for another decade. I hope Gemini lives a good, long life too.

[kimbutgar]

6. My best friend got behind on her rent and was evicted because she chose to pay for her dogs

Operation over paying rent. I understand how people love their animals but my friend became homeless until another friend took her in. The guy is selling this car but how will he get around and to work?


I get it but....I don’t get it.

[Honeycombe8]

8. He got a loan from a friend,and donations, ultimately.

It's also possible he has two cars or has access to public transportation.

[catbyte]

17. He didn't have to sell his car after all because of the loan and donations, but he was about to

in order to save his best friend's life.

[dreamland]

13. I know where he's coming from.

This happened to us ...twice, the first time we are charged $8500, the second it was discount rate of $4500. In the end, we still lost her due to contracted pneumonia after surgery but that was after three days of emotional hell. She was 14 y.o. and she was a rescue. I still have problems dealing with the loss. I look at pictures of cocker spaniels every day, trying to find her again. There is no price on love, but I just wish it wasn't so expensive

[BigmanPigman]

14. I would have done the same....

in fact I told this to my friend two days ago after her dog died. We agreed, dogs are like your child and we would do anything to help them. I am leaving 75% of my assets to the Humane Society and Morris Animal Refuge where I was a foster mom.

[gademocrat7]

16. Our pets give us their love and loyalty.

One of our 5 Jack Russell Terriers fought off a coyote trying get into our back yard. We rushed him to the 24 hour animal hospital. They called UGA vet hospital to alert the staff there that my husband was on his way with our dog. He was there for one month. Had to have a tracheotomy and 60 stitches.He survived for eight more years and died at age 17.5. Our bill was over $15,000.00.

[IcyPeas]

19. some adoption applications have a question...

asking how much would you be willing to pay for medical services for your pet? It's a weird question, but it does make one stop and think.... can I afford to get a pet.

It's also very hard to answer.