“My Very Best Friend” – Maynard’s Happy Tail
June 30th, 2025
By Savannah Verdon, Development Manager –
Angela saved her dog, Maynard, when she dove in front of a moving car to protect him. In the process, she tore her meniscus and suffered a bulging disc in her back. As difficult as it would make the next year for her, Maynard was worth it all: he was her service dog, her best friend, her everything. He had made it to 17 years old because she had protected him every moment she had, including that day when she dove in front of a moving car to save him.
“He is my service animal for my sleep disorder. I have PTSD-related night terrors that have plagued me since being kidnapped years ago; he wakes me up from them. He is also my very best friend in the world. We spend the entire day together all the time. He is my everything.”
Maynard’s many years of good health made it all the more confusing for Angela when she noticed him shaking his head. She had continued working as a chef as long as she could after she was injured saving Maynard’s life, but now she was on disability after undergoing surgery. Her disability benefits would expire soon, but her body wasn’t recovered enough to return to work. She could apply for unemployment, but right now, she didn’t have the money to take him to a veterinarian.
So, she raised the funds. When they were able to see the veterinarian, Angela was disappointed to learn that he had infections causing swelling in his gums and several broken teeth that needed to be removed. Restoring him to good health was as easy as a dental cleaning procedure, and with his excellent bloodwork, he was cleared for treatment even at his age. It would not be so easy for Angela: she needed to find a low-cost clinic to perform his surgery at a more affordable rate, and again raise the funds to pay for his treatment. They were sent home with antibiotics and painkillers while she worked out a plan to save his life (a plan less injurious, hopefully, than the last time).
Maynard didn’t make it to 17 years old just by luck. It was through Angela’s care, and she would be just as diligent in ensuring he would get this much-needed dental cleaning procedure. Having already asked her friends and family for help with his initial appointment, she searched online for any opportunity that would help and found the RedRover Relief Urgent Care grant program. With what money she had to contribute to the cost, a grant would be just what she needed to start Maynard’s treatment. If not for the bulging disc, she would have danced around the room when she learned her application had been approved.
As anticipated, Maynard made it through his treatment like a much younger dog. While he was under anesthesia, the veterinarian did an extra thorough examination to make sure he didn’t have any other troubles waiting for him.
“Maynard is feeling so much better. They scaled his teeth and had to extract three of them. His lopsided grin is a bit more kooky than before, but he’s still all smiles. It’ll be a bit longer before he can go back to hard kibble, so he’s eating in the lap of luxury for now (wet food). Thank you for bringing my happy doggo back to me!”
When families face a double crisis – financial hardship and a veterinary emergency – your support ensures that, no matter what, their bond with their pets will be protected. Thank you for making a lifesaving difference for families like Angela and Maynard!
