Everything’s Coming Up Rose: A Happy Tail
January 21st, 2022
By Savannah Verdon, RedRover Development and Engagement Coordinator
Like so many others for whom the COVID-19 pandemic had been emotionally and financially exhausting, Kimberly was doing everything she could to keep her head above water. Her employer of more than 15 years had gone out of business in December of 2020, and for the 10 months Kimberly was unemployed, she used her savings to stay current on her mortgage while letting her credit cards go unpaid.
On top of anxiously watching her savings account dwindle and her debt grow, Kimberly cared for her elderly mother, making it challenging for her to find a new job that would keep them both protected from COVID-19. After long and difficult days, she would cuddle with her pets to decompress and soothe her worried mind.
Kimberly’s eight-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, Rose, was an especially welcome comfort. Rose had kept Kimberly company through her darkest moments, and she could scarcely imagine her life without her sweet little gal. Though Rose was tiny, the love and joy she brought to Kimberly’s home were too big to measure.
One afternoon in mid-October, Rose was enjoying fresh air and sunshine in their front yard when a stray dog attacked her, breaking her jaw in two places and damaging some of her teeth. The attack was as sudden as it was devastating, and Kimberly wasted no time getting Rose to the veterinarian.
After taking X-rays and bloodwork, and providing Rose with antibiotics and pain medication, the veterinarian recommended she have surgery as soon as possible to repair her jaw. Rose would need two metal plates placed under her jaw line, and the damaged teeth needed to be removed. It would cost Kimberly thousands of dollars to save her baby’s life.
Though the total amount of the bill was daunting, Kimberly was undeterred. She had started a new job the month before, and while she was hoping to begin catching up on her finances, she was relieved to have a bit of money to put toward Rose’s surgery. Nevertheless, she would need help to make the full payment.
Fortunately, she was approved for a line of credit that would cover a significant portion of the bill, and she’d had some success in securing help from two animal foundations. One of those foundations recommended that she also reach out to RedRover. Kimberly applied for a RedRover Relief Urgent Care grant while Rose was in the hospital awaiting surgery. When she received the call from a RedRover Relief case manager informing her that her application had been approved, she felt the weight of fear and uncertainty lift from her shoulders. Her sweet Rose would get the surgery she needed and the second chance she deserved.
After a successful surgery, Rose returned home with Kimberly to begin healing. With plates and fewer teeth in her jaw, she would need to adjust to a soft-food diet, but Kimberly saw to it that Rose was happy and healthy every day. It wasn’t long before her charming personality returned, bringing light and laughter back into their home. After receiving a clean bill of health from the veterinarian at her follow-up appointment, Rose could pick up where she left off as Kimberly’s loyal and loving companion.
Happy Tails like these are only possible because of kind animal lovers like you. We are so grateful for our supporters who help RedRover bring hundreds of animals like Rose from crisis to care!
