While the COVID-19 pandemic affected us all in different ways, for Brendan, it was both a blessing and a curse.
As a photographer and musician, he was left without a way to earn an income. But being at home also meant he was able to care for his beloved dog, Biscuit.
Her hip had "popped out" twice before, and both times she was treated without surgery. But our vets had told Brendan that if it happened a third time, she would need surgery.
As luck would have it, it happened at the beginning of lockdown, right when Brendan's gigs were cancelled.
"There were so many sleepless nights," he says. "She is my life as I don't have family."
In a way, I'm fortunate there was a lockdown so I could be with her when she needed me most.
Brendan
Finding a way forward
Lort Smith offers a range of options to clients going through financial hardship. We worked with Brendan, who had shown such dedication to his dog, to find the right way forward for both him and Biscuit.
Our surgical team removed the ball part of Biscuit's hip joint and created a new false joint, so she could walk without pain.
Brendan did everything he could to make Biscuit's recovery as easy as possible.
"She slept on the bed with me. I had to carry her outside so she could go to the toilet and I hand fed her … I even built her some stairs next to my bed, so she could get up and down easily."
Brendan says Biscuit is now strong enough to play ball in the backyard again. She can also jump onto his bed without needing the stairs!
"In a way, I'm fortunate there was a lockdown so I could be with her when she needed me most," he says.
This is such a happy story, but it was only possible because of our supporters. We can only support loving pet carers going through financial hardship because we have the support of our wonderful community.
Donate today, and help us keep people and pets together when times get tough.