Vinnie is a 13-year-old Chihuahua/Pug in Portland , OR, who needs $2,000 for Dental Surgery.

Over the summer of 2014, I lost my dog Pedro due to complications from diabetes. He was more than a dog. He was my best friend, riding the train with me every day to work. I had another dog, Bella, a beautiful blonde chihuahua. She became very depressed after Pedro died. I then decided to search for another dog. In October I decided I would look on Petfinder to find a connection with one of the dogs

I almost fell to the floor when I saw Vinnie's profile. At first I was afraid to contact My Way Home Dog Rescue. I was afraid to love again, but I did. Vinnie has been with me for ten years. He had come all the way from Kentucky. He had been surrendered by a family consisting of a mom and son. The son had severely abused Vinnie so the mom gave him up. He lived in a foster home for almost two years

My Bella died in 2021 from Cushings Disease. All Vinnie and I had was each other. In my old age, I became disabled and as Vinnie was getting older, he too was finding life becoming harder. He has very bad arthritis and recently we found out that he has an enlarged heart. On top of that, his teeth are really bad. Some have fallen out. His dental is taking a toll on his overall health.

Vinnie who is 13 went to Oregon Humane Society Community Veterinary Hospital for a checkup and to see if he could withstand surgery to remove a growth by his eye. This is when they discovered his heart problems. He had the growth removed and now they have given him an appointment for Dental Surgery. As a senior citizen on only Social Security, I need help to get Vinnie the help he needs to live.

I don't have a job anymore. I have severe nerve damage, I have seizures, and can barely get around, even with a cane. Vinnie keeps me living and stays beside me night and day in case I get sick. My only income is Social Security, a small $35 pension and food stamps.