Family finds out they can't afford life-saving surgery for dog — so TikTok users stepped in: 'There are good people out there'
A TikTok user experienced every pet owner’s fear when she found out her beloved dog Lex needed a very expensive surgery that she could not afford.
On Aug. 9, TikToker Bellah Hambleton (@idislikeallofyou1) shared a video of her and her family learning that Lex needed a $6,000 spinal surgery for a ruptured disc. But, because her family could not afford to pay for it, the alternative was putting Lex down.
“If 6,000 doesn’t fall from the sky in two days I have to put my best friend down idk what to do,” Hambleton wrote in her video.
While the money may not have physically fallen from the sky, the raw emotion displayed by Hambleton and her dog’s plight seemed to touch her follower’s hearts, and only a day later, a GoFundMe had raised nearly double the operation’s cost.
“Just gave my last 5 dollars it’s not a lot but hope it helps,” wrote @kenzzzz1717.
‘I’m not a scammer’
After her initial post went viral and she set up a GoFundMe to collect donations that continued to pour in, Hambleton also posted a video with what she said was real-time footage of her at the vet’s office learning about her dog’s condition. She stressed that she was “not a scammer” and that the experience was “completely real” for her and her family.
“I hate people are accusing you of lying about this whole thing. I hope the surgery and everything goes great for your dog! Hugs,” wrote @madsbtchhh.
Her most recent video also assured followers and those who had donated that “none” of the money would be “pocketed” by anyone in her family. She noted that all of the money would go toward’s Lex’s surgery, stay and recovery, and if there happened to be anything left over, those funds would be donated.
“Nothing will be in the hands of my family,” she added.
‘Everything went great’
As Hambleton’s story was shared and the donations grew, she updated her followers about Lex’s journey, explaining that she raised the GoFundMe goal to $10,000 after learning Lex would also need an MRI as part of the pre-op procedures.
Followers also received updates as Lex prepared for surgery.
“TikTok did his thing and I’m so happy,” noted @.junev.
Currently, Hambleton’s TikTok does not have a link to the GoFundMe and instead has an update that her dog is in recovery, along with a line of gratitude thanking everyone for the donations.
She also gave her followers a video update that “everything went great” with the surgery and that Lex would be able to return home in about four days. She gave credit to everyone, followers and complete strangers alike, for “saving” her “baby’s life.”
“Yes we did it see there are good people out there,” noted @no_one_cares_yolo.
Her followers also expressed gratitude back to Hambleton for caring so well for her family dog.
“Your dog was lucky to have you by her side some people would just left her to suffer. We were all happy to help you to take care of her,” wrote @opalsaeed.
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