Edinburgh dog-owner unable to pay vet’s bill risks losing her ‘best friend’

The 23-year-old dog-owner hoped it was just a tummy bug
Best friends: Charley-Jane O’Malley and Jango share a cuddleBest friends: Charley-Jane O’Malley and Jango share a cuddle
Best friends: Charley-Jane O’Malley and Jango share a cuddle

A young woman with diabetes is raising cash for an expensive vet bill after her beloved dog, who alerts her to low blood sugar levels, was diagnosed with pancreatitis.

Only ten months old, lovable pooch Jango, who provides owner Charley-Jane O’Malley with emotional and medical support, was rushed to the vet after a spell of sickness left him “very weak”.

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The 23-year-old dog-owner hoped it was just a tummy bug but an X-ray showed that her Jack Russell terrier-pug cross was suffering from pancreatitis, and needed an emergency operation, which he has now had.

Popular pup: Jango has over 35000 followers on InstagramPopular pup: Jango has over 35000 followers on Instagram
Popular pup: Jango has over 35000 followers on Instagram

While recovering at home in Penicuik, Jango and Charley-Jane were dealt another blow when they received a £3000 vet bill through the letterbox.

Devastated to discover that their pet insurance would not cover this Charley-Jane said: “Due to being sick in the first 14 days of coming home, our insurance has cancelled all claims relating to any gastrointestinal issues, so we are left with a massive bill already.

“We are already looking at close to £3000 in vet bills due to tests, scans, X-rays, medication, overnight stays at the vet, and surgeries and possibly more if he has to move to the specialist vet hospital.”

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Charley-Jane has now set up a Gofundme page to raise the cash needed to save her “clever and wonderful boy”.

While less than a year old the popular pup has managed to gain over 35000 followers on Instagram and Charley-Jane hopes his followers will help save his life.

She said: “All I want is to have my boy home.

“If all of his followers gave just £1 each we would be able to cover the vet bill so far, so honestly any donation, no matter how little will be greatly appreciated.”

The pair have an uncommonly close bond and Jango helps his owner, who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks, stay calm and happy.

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The clever pet has also learned to go and raise an alert when his diabetic owner’s blood sugar is running dangerously low.

Charley-Jane said: “I am type 1 diabetic and Jango is able to go and alert my mum when my blood is low and let her know that I need assistance.

“He really has made a massive difference in my life and I cannot thank him enough for being the clever, wonderful boy that he is.

“He is honestly the best thing that has ever happened to me and I don’t know where I’d be without him.”

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Charley-Jane said it’s now her turn to look after Jango and she intends to do everything possible to save her best friend’s life.

She added: “Jango is a little miracle, he’s brought people out of bad times in their life, cheered people up when they are sad, stayed by people’s side when they are unwell and even cured someone’s phobia of dogs.”

To can donate to Jango’s recovery HERE

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