I can't believe I just did this today

[glinda]

Went to the Vet to get cans of CD for my cat. While I was there, a really nice, humble farm type man of about age 30 was handed a sheet from the Vet with an explanation about what needed to be done on his shiny adorable chocolate 1 year old Dachshund. He had his shots but they found a cracked tooth that is starting to infect his gum. They wanted it operated on soon.
The man wanted to make payments over time because he had just lost his job. His wife was now the only bread winner and their daughter had just had surgery that they are paying for. I wouldn't have listened but his humbleness and honesty and desire to figure out how to do it was a reminder to me that even though my husband and I barely make it, we are not homeless, nor totally broke.
I offered to pay $50 of the $189 bill. The actual surgery for extraction is 89-120. The remainder is for heart-worm test and pills. We live in a big heart-worm area being on the Flyway of the Mississippi.
He was stunned that someone would offer to help. Speechless. He called me an "Angel". LOL! On top of all of this his 11 yr.old Golden had passed last week.
The Vet is going to call me after he talks to his wife about their budget which sounds pretty darn bad. I met her (she is on top of it slightly handicapped) as he wanted her to come in from the car to meet me. She seemed embarrassed and proud. And stunned. I know it will not pay for the whole thing and I hope it will not deter them from the offer. They can get the surgery first I am sure.
If anyone feels up to helping /chipping in on this I can give them the Vet's phone number or something. I know we all struggle but I can't believe what popped out of my mouth today.
I am sure there are so many people going through this right now.

[elleng]

1. Yes, there are many.

You ARE an angel. O8)

[glinda]

2. I don't hear my wings fluttering yet! LOL! Thank you though. :>)

[Zoigal]

3. Kudos to you, glinda

PM me with your address and i will pitch in. Just tell the guy it's from Belle and Razzie. z

[japple]

4. You are an angel and a good human, too. Thanks from me

and my critters for helping this family. I hope they can manage to get the surgery for their dog. My vet is very understanding about the financial limitations of her clients. She will always make arrangements for people to pay installments. The vet I used before her would not release the animal to their owner unless the bill was paid in full. She even refused to let my friend--a long-standing client, take her dog home because she had forgotten to bring her checkbook. Friend had to go home and get the checkbook and come back. My current vet would have sent the dog home with her and told her to come back to pay the bill at her convenience.

[glinda]

7. I know. In our small town there are two Clinics. They are both pay up front and part of

a Chain of clinics. At least this family was at the more trustworthy one.
My husband and I drive nearly 40 minutes to the larger City to a combo regular/Holistic Vet. We have only lived here two years and when my cat ate poisoned food, the only place we could go was to the emergency pet hospital in the larger City which took $2200 from my medical savings. No money, no cat saving or even getting him back. It was awful. He needed a penildectomy (?) after that and thank goodness my old Vet gave me our new Vet's phone number. He fortunately gave me a discount and worked payments over four months. Now he gets all of our business.
The clinics anger my Vet. He had had it when at the same time the Emergency Hospital refused to help a Returning War Vet in a wheelchair with his dog who ate poisoned food. My Vet did miracles for this guy and his dog. So I totally get it. Makes you wonder what their mission statement reads like at these places.

[livetohike]

5. Thank you so much for doing this....

:hug: You have "paid it forward". May it come back to you heaping and running over.

[glinda]

8. I hope so. Maybe $$$$$$$ for my surgery will drop from the sky! Hahahahaha

[Bertha Venation]

6. I believe it.

Good people really are everywhere. It just sounds like you're surprised that you're one of them.

[glinda]

9. No. Am not well off believe me. Watching the situation made me want to cry though.

[MiniMe]

10. {{hugs}} You are an angel

And it was several hundred dollars to put his 11 year old golden down I'm sure. I feel for the guy.

[glinda]

11. Probably not that much but who knows all the stuffs leading up to it.

Bad timing for this family for sure.

[Muttocracy]

12. hey glinda - you ARE a good witch :)

:thumbsup:

[emilyg]

13. You are a good person.

[and-justice-for-all]

14. Cheers to you Glinda...nt

[smokey nj]

15. You are a good person, glinda.

:hug:

[spooky3]

16. what a wonderful story! This will be the best $50 you ever spent. You will feel

good forever and his family will never, ever forget your kindness.

[glinda]

17. Update

I had thought that the wife and husband who were struggling were not going to take me up on the offer of $50. The Vet receptionist confided in me that the woman was proud and also concerns over her daughter's medical bill were overwhelming.
Also, a very nice DUer offered an additional gift if they would go through with it. I heard nothing for a week and assumed that I would not. Understandably so as how often does a complete stranger make an offer like that.
Yesterday, I received a call from the Veterinary Receptionist and she asked if I was still willing to help them with that amount. They would schedule the surgery for today if the offer was still good. I think they waited until they had a paycheck to back it up.
Well I am super super pleased to announce that "Boots" the one yr.-old Dachshund has had his infected broken tooth pulled! I think all the convincing by the Vet about the infection and how it could be more expensive down the line helped as well as the staff encouraging them to trust me.
I am hopeful they will call and thank me and if I am lucky will get a pic of him to post. What a super sweet and beautiful dog. I am soooooo happy! Poorer but happy!:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
To my DUer friend who offered help. We got it! Thanks again!