Desperate Time, Desperate Measure

My name is Holly. I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I'm a dog trainer by day, and a paranormal investigator by night. My husband is 62 years old and is working long hours for insufficient pay - just as many others are doing the same.

We have struggled financially for many years, and we have always managed to see our way through to the other side of whatever challenges we've faced. Until now. Due to medical issues, I am unable to hold a normal job. For the past 19 years, my husband has had to carry the entire financial load. I recently started my dog-training business; as yet, I do not have paying clients. I'm working on this, but it's a slow go.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are in a situation in which we are in debt with our bank and we cannot meet our basic needs. I am asking for help because this is a one-time circumstance which, when it is resolved, will not repeat. We have already cut out all unnecessary expenditures to the best of our abilities, and we do not eat out, go to movies, or have any credit card debt to deal with.

I don't know what else to do or where else to turn. We have contacted resources in Calgary that help with things like electric and gas bills, but everywhere we've gone has turned us down, saying my husband makes too much money. They go by his gross pay, not his take-home pay; they also don't take into account our monthly bills - all of which reduces us to a bare pittance. We're okay with living on next to nothing; we know that once I start getting clients, things will be better. We're just in a hard way right now, and we have no other resources to turn to.

If you can and are willing to help strangers, please consider helping us. All monies will be going towards paying our bank debt, our electric and gas bills, and putting food on the table.

Thank you in advance for your compassion and help. You don't know how much it is appreciated.