Trucker the Lab
It was July, 2005 and I had just moved into my own apartment in Everett, WA. One day, my friend Bryson showed up at the door with a little bundle of fur. I had always thought Trucker was a good name for a big dog and as soon as I laid eyes on him, I knew Trucker would be the perfect name for him! I hadn’t intended to get a dog, but my family and friends didn’t like the fact that I was living alone and thought that Trucker could not only provide companionship for me, but could also serve to chase off undesirable people with his big dog bark.
Well, I immediately fell in love with Trucker. He became my best friend and we were soon inseparable. Trucker went everywhere with me and was never far from my side. We went swimming, on long walks and played ball together when I wasn t working. I was even able to take him to work with me when he was little.
To my delight, one day a wonderful man named Justin, asked me to marry him. Of course, Trucker would be a very important part of this marriage. He was after all, the other most important man in my life. Justin also had a very important woman in his life; his husky Jasmine. I knew we would be a very happy family. We married, bought a house, and as will happen, I became pregnant with our first child. Things were going along pretty well, even if we were a little over-committed financially with our first house and a baby on the way.
One day, while Trucker and I were out for our walk, I noticed that he was limping badly. I didn t know what had happened, but watched closely the next few weeks as his limp worsened. I took him to our vet and they said that he had blown out the ACL in his knee cap. Trucker was only 2 years old. I was told this was rather unusual in a pup so young. I was given a quote of over $2000 for the surgery. My husband and I had no idea where in the world we’d come up with this kind of money, having recently bought a house and with a new baby on the way. We were stressed out to the max financially as it was. But Trucker was my baby and I had to take care of him. We didn t qualify for any of the financial aid programs that we looked into.
Enter Animals First Foundation!! Somehow they got word of Trucker’s dilemma and after careful scrutiny of our situation and with Judith (another rescuer) obtaining bids from other vets for this type of surgery they offered to fund Trucker’s surgery for us. What a blessing! Not only did AFF fund Trucker’s surgery, they also found a wonderful foster to care for Trucker while he recuperates after his surgery because it came at the same time I was to have my baby girl.
I am so very grateful and happy to say that Trucker is doing wonderfully (will be with his foster a little while longer). His new best friend, baby girl Parker Marie is looking forward to meeting him. How can I ever thank Animals First Foundation for helping a young couple pay for their beloved Trucker’s much needed surgery? By taking the best care they can of this very special companion for the rest of his life.
Thank you, thank you AFF - you are truly a blessing to this family and to Trucker! :-)
Faun, Justin, Parker & Trucker
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