Fundraising a Home for Peg and Pegasus

This kind of thing has always felt awkward to me... but now there's an adorable little life I want to save in the process of saving my own.

The details of my situation are a bit much to unload, but it's essentially death-by-1000-cuts-style abuse. This post would be pages long if I listed all the little things that culminate into what might as well be literal daily jabs in the face for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I cry about it more than I'd like, which aggravates my sinuses... so that's annoying. I'd like less of that.

So, my best solution is to move.

Specifically, to a place with a similar cost of living, but more available jobs. Also, away from the coast... terrified of the coast.

So my location of choice? Colorado Springs, Colorado. (or Denver, I'm open to options)

I was told I could get a job as a "trimmer" for $12-$17/hour. I like tedious tasks, as it helps me with creative endeavours. (A trimmer is a person that trims the leaves off of cannabis... All day. I could think about story development the whole time!)

What I'm seeking is help getting out of here. I'm a bit stuck by not having a car; not being allowed to use a car; and not getting decent public transportation this far out of the city. And because I live on the edge of the county, there are only a handful of places in walking distance and they don't offer full time for anyone under management.

Working on the internet is something I've been pursuing, but my living situation is becoming detrimental to my endeavours. My mental health is one thing, but don't mess with my efficiency.

Here is the budget I calculated based on internet searches. Things for which I couldn't find (or won't get) exact prices, I took any averages I could find and added $50 or $100 as a buffer for any inaccuracy.

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Budget:

Rent for 2 months:

approx $3000 ($1000-$1500/mo)

I don't know how long it will take to find a job, or how long until I'm paid enough to cover the next month of rent since some jobs pay more often than monthly. I feel like 2 months is a good, safe buffer just in case of anything. Better to have more money than I need than not enough. I hear it's good to set aside something for emergencies anyway.

Also, I want to aim for a lower rent, but I don't want to screw myself out of access to what seems to be the average rent for a studio apartment.

Approximate living expenses for 2 months (food, electricity, water, internet, prepaid phone, toiletries, lady stuff, medication, public transportation):

approx $2880

I'm currently managing to stretch $400 over 10 to 12 weeks for food. I'd be happy to just double that.

Utility costs were taken an "average cost of living" website. Also, I went with Denver just in case that's where I wind up, since Colorado Springs it a little less expensive.

Transportation from TN to CO & Shipping my possessions to a PO Box:

approx $1,600

Actual travel should only cost $200-$300 since Colorado isn't that far away.

But shipping my stuff? That's a wildcard. I have heavy clothing, computer equipment, and musical instruments. I hope it doesn't cost $1000 to ship all of that... but I don't have a means to weigh such large object for the purposes of more accurate calculations. And I have to buy the insurance on my computers and instruments... and pack them elaborately so they're still in tact when we meet again. It may not actually be as expensive as I think it'll be.

On that note... if anything costs less than its budget, the excess money will either go into an emergency fund or be reallocated to other parts of the budget.

Hotel room for 2 weeks:

approx $2,000 (including transportation and food for 2 weeks)

I want to be able to look at apartments in person... check out the neighbourhood; make sure it's safe, clean, accessible by public transportation. Hopefully, two weeks will be enough for that, because hotels are expensive for the same reason jobs are more abundant.

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And finally, the adorable little life I mentioned at the beginning of the post.

This is Peg. She's one of a litter of 10.

These pups were just born on August 29th, and brought to Rhonda's rescue by a very kind soul. I don't have the means to donate to Rhonda's rescue myself... at least not until I get out of here and get a proper paying job... but I could give one of the pups a home. It'll be 8 weeks before they can leave for new homes. But I know they're in fantastic care with Rhonda.

Sure, my budget would be tight... I'd definitely opt for that pet insurance I had to sell when I worked at petco... And I'd probably seek out recipes we could both eat -- because I know how to drive a pressure cooker. ;)

I'll help the cute little critter recover from the confusion of moving from place to place so early in her life (I know that feeling). And when she's old enough, I'll begin training her to for a few very specific tasks. She'll be more than just my best buddy ever, she'll essentially keep me alive.

See, my mother's dog is so intuitive, he learned (on his own) to recognise when I'm dissociating and bark me back to reality. He also seems to know when to bark and when to just sit on my feet. No one taught him this!

He's even saved me from what was becoming a pattern of me dissociating when I open the oven and somehow burning myself when I pull the food out. After the third time, he now comes and does a little patrol, then sits behind my feet.

For some reason, this makes me extra careful... maybe I don't want him too close so I'm more focused... but I haven't burned my arm since he started doing that. Again, no one taught him this. These are just things he does. I will miss him when I leave.

My hope is to train Peg to perform similar tasks. To help me, and comfort me. And of course, to be my best buddy. ^_^

Puppy Budget:

approx $1900 (or maybe $900 if good luck prevails)

This would cover supplies, food, veterinarian bills, and transportation to her new home with me. I have access to tons of puppy stuff already, so we're good there.

I wasn't sure of the specifics of everything, so I inquired with Rhonda and her reply was as follows:

Puppy budget. Oh, my. Well, she will be spayed before leaving here, so you don't have to worry about that. Yearly vet visit with vaccines, usually $200 to $300. Pet insurance--whatever that costs. Food? She'll eat less than some dogs, so probably less than $100 per month. But there's also the matter of pet deposits and the higher rent of pet-friendly housing. Most places gouge you on that. This isn't just a consideration for the present situation, but for the future when you do move again. Pets complicate things greatly when it comes to moving. You also have to think about how you will get to Denver with a puppy, or how you'll get a puppy to Denver. That kind of transport would probably run close to $1,000, although sometime Pilots -n- Paws will fly them for free, if they have volunteers on that route.

So, I would take the higher number with vet bills and put that as an upfront cost: approx $300
Cost of food for 2 months: approx $200
Transportation for Peg to Colorado: approx $1000 (but also maybe free! hopeful there)
Potential Pet deposit + rent for 2 months: approx $400

I perused a number of pet-friendly places on Zillow and the deposits seem to top out around $350 and monthly pet rents around $25.

Peg is small and cute, appearing to be a mix of Border Collie and Italian Greyhound, so I don't expect to face any breed or size restrictions (even when she's full grown).

Also, female moving to a big city alone? Probably a good idea to have a dog or a gun... and I don't really want a gun (too clumsy). Also also, I feel like I kind of owe her now. Without the inspiration of her cute little face... and the ticking clock on her growing up and moving on to a shelter... I probably wouldn't have mustered the courage to post this, let alone write it. I think she was the true push I needed to give in and ask for help.

So, this is my cry for help... for me and for little Peg.
Please help us find a new home!

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Budget Summary:

puppy budget = $1900
travel & shipping of stuff = approx $1,500
hotel for 2 weeks = approx $2,000 (including transportation and food for 2 weeks)
rent for 2 months = approx $3000 (1500/mo)
2 months of living expenses = approx $2880
Po Box = $102 for 3 months
total = $11,382

I wish it was less expensive, but it is what it is.

Now if, by some miracle, I manage to raise more than I need to move, I'll be donating the excess to Rhonda's rescue.

Taking it even further, any excess funds that I have after I've settled in, found a job, and set aside a couple hundred for emergencies will also go to Rhonda's rescue.

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I'm also offering the following services:

Voice Over

Preferably short pieces due to time constraints, but not a strict restriction. No political or NSFW pieces, though.

Graphic Arts

Icons, simple logos, character renders, architectural models, landscape renders.

Oracle Card Readings

Bet you didn't see that one coming. Just know, I can't tell you your future. But using an oracle deck of my own creation, I can read the energy of a situation. I mostly use it for worldbuilding and character development, but it works for real life situations as well. I also won't read the energy of anyone that's not present for or requesting the reading, as it's an invasion of privacy.

Price: Negotiable.
Anything over 1 SBD would be great!

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Thank you for reading.
PegasusPhysics ^_^