They say life is like a box of chocolates, and maybe it is. In MY case, I’ve learned to go with the flow and adopt the live-and-let-live kind of attitude. So far, that has gotten me to this point alive.

My current name is Mabel, although I can’t tell you what my former name was before my owner dumped me at the local pet store on a Friday night, just before closing. I thought I was doing fine with him, but maybe he opened up his own box of chocolates and bit into a really nasty one. Whatever the cause, he pushed me through the door of the store and drove away before anyone could read his license plate. And there I was, not knowing anyone, with everyone staring at me.

Because the local animal control holding facilities were all full, they wouldn’t even come take me to a shelter. The store staff were really kind and understanding, though. They let me sleep overnight in their back storage room in a crate….did I tell you I’m very good in a crate?

The next day, they hooked me up with a really nice family who took me to their home. The people I live with now are awesome and, like all good pet owners, they want to have me spayed. But when they took me to the vet to plan the spay surgery, the vet said I’m not a candidate for any surgery right now. Know why? I can’t freaking breathe! I’ve got what they call, “Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome.”

That’s right. As you can see, I’m one of those “cool-looking” bulldog mixes with the pushed-in face. The kind people keep paying alot for so bad breeders keep breeding. But I’m a reject, I guess. My face is SO pushed-in, I don’t have enough room in my airway to get adequate oxygen into my lungs. I snore and snort and choke and cough and struggle just to breathe day to day, let alone survive a surgery like a spay. The good news: this condition can be fixed. The bad news: the correction costs more than my new family can afford. They can come up with some of the dough, but not all. And unfortunately, the longer we wait to get this problem fixed, the more likely I will suffer tracheal collapse and die before my time. The Animal Support Project wants to help with this, but the cost of the surgery is more than they can afford, too. They have so many people contacting them for help with their critters, they just don’t have enough funds to meet the demand.

So we’re trying to raise about two thousand dollars to supplement what my family and The Animal Support Project can bring to the table. With that, I could get the airway correction and the spay at the same time by a specialist in Pattersonville. I know it’s alot to ask of you strangers, but I was just starting to enjoy having a stable, loving home where the people really care about me; they would never just walk away from me the way my past owner did. And I confess, I’ve grown so attached to them, and to the other dog who lives here, all our hearts will break if I have to leave. I feel like I’m standing in the doorway to a whole, bright new world, but I can’t get through that doorway without a ticket I can’t afford. So here I am, bold-faced begging anyone and everyone to chip in to help me buy that golden ticket. Every penny I’m able to raise will help. If you can’t afford to contribute, could you please share my story with others who might be able to help? Thanks for caring!

Your forever-grateful friend,

Mabel.

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