Take a chance for Blackjack

So let's start at the beginning.

Blackjack came into my life during a very traumatic experience. I had developed PTSD from an abusive relationship, and I was struggling to even leave my apartment, let alone my room even. My mother went to Cripple Creek, Colorado and adopted this cute little mop of a dog, who immediately became my best friend. Since he was found in a casino town, I named him Blackjack. He's black and white; a pomeranian poodle mix. He was a bit skittish, nervous around people, but he was attached to my hip instantly. Together we were both an anxious mess, but I wasn't as scared with him around.

Skip ahead to now, 8 years later, and he's still alive and kicking and my best friend. Here's where problems are starting to arise though. Blackjack is scared of scissors and trimmers. Loud noises, people hugging, laughter, feet, new environments, they all scare him. He's an anxious mess, but he desperately, DESPERATELY needs to be groomed properly. On top of that, his teeth are doing pretty poorly (partially from age, partially from biting into his toys like a pacifier). We need to raise money to do bloodwork, a dental and have him groomed under sedation.

I have been unable to go to work for a while, due to my fibromyalgia as well as other health issues. This in turn requires my mother to work full time to try and support me and all my meds. We've got enough to feed Blackjack, buy him treats, love on him, but not enough for a full work up that he properly needs. Bills and rent force us to live primarily paycheck to paycheck. It's exhausting, but we do what we can.

We've spoken to a local vet, and if we can raise $800.00 to cover the bloodwork, the dental work, and the grooming under sedation, they will do it for us. So this is our goal, to help Blackjack go from mop to crop top. I know my boy is a senior now, but I can never thank him for all the hope and inspiration he gave back to me, when I felt like I was robbed of it. Blackjack is the best gamble in life I ever took, and I'm so thankful to have him still with me. Even if he has the worst dragon breath with every kiss he gives me, it's worth it because of how special he is to me.