'Don't want Bruce to die': This boy loves his Pokémon cards. But he sold them to save his dog's life

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Rodimus Prime, Jun 11, 2021.

  1. Rodimus Prime

    Rodimus Prime Sola Gratia, Sola Fide TFW2005 Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2002
    Posts:
    26,237
    News Credits:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    442
    Likes:
    +37,213
    Bryson Kliemann, 8, has been collecting Pokémon cards since his dad introduced him to the trading cards when he was 4 years old. He has hundreds in his collection, stored in binders and lock boxes. Every Christmas, birthday or holiday, he asks for cards.

    “His Pokémon cards are his most prized possession,” said his mother, Kimberly Woodruff, 26.

    But Bryson decided to sell his cherished cards to save his dog’s life – a humble gesture that has rippled across the nation and raised thousands for sick pets.

    "It makes me feel happy that everybody came together," Bryson told USA TODAY, thanking the people who helped his dog.

    The Lebanon, Virginia, boy wanted a dog for years and would cry when he left the local animal shelter after a visit, Woodruff said.

    In March, a friend’s dog had puppies, and Woodruff adopted Bruce, a now 4-month-old black lab mix. Pretty soon, Bryson and Bruce were inseparable.

    “They're best friends,” Woodruff said. “They love each other.”

    But then Bruce, once a “very playful puppy,” suddenly wouldn't come out of his cage and began losing weight, Woodruff said.

    Bruce was diagnosed with parvo, a contagious virus that can be deadly if left untreated. Woodruff had given Bruce self-administered vaccines, including for parvo, in order to save money but didn’t realize they had to be refrigerated.

    Veterinarians told Woodruff that it would cost $655 for the first three days of Bruce’s treatment, and warned more could be needed, including thousands of dollars to keep him at the animal hospital overnight for up to a week. It was a price tag the family couldn't afford.

    Woodruff explained the situation to Bryson the next morning.

    “Mom, I don't want Bruce to die,” he said through tears. “I'm going to pray that he don't die.”

    After school, Bryson came home with a plan: He pulled a bunch of papers from his backpack – drawings scrawled on the back of his schoolwork of a stand with his Pokémon cards on it. He would sell his collection to save his puppy.

    At first, Woodruff discouraged Bryson.

    “We'll figure this out,” she said. “Don't worry about it.”

    But the next day, Woodruff was in her phlebotomy class when her husband sent a picture of Bryson seated at a table in the front yard with a wooden sign that said: “Pokémon 4 SALE.” Woodruff cried.

    “It was heartwarming, but it hurt to see,” she said. “I didn't want this to be something he had to worry about. That's my job. But seeing him be so selfless made me realize that I did something right in raising him to be like this.”

    Slowly, handfuls of neighbors congregated around the Pokémon card stand, thinking the boy was just selling his cards for extra pocket money. But when they found out what it was for, word began to spread.

    “It started out with a few neighbors, and then those people told people and they told more people, and it kept going and going,” Woodruff said.

    “It started out with a few neighbors, and then those people told people and they told more people, and it kept going and going,” Woodruff said.

    Woodruff shared the photo of Bryson at the stand on a local Facebook group, hoping more neighbors would stop by. She said she didn’t expect the “overwhelming outpouring of support.”

    Some of her friends in Michigan asked her to set up a GoFundMe for Bryson because they lived too far away to support the stand in person. So Woodruff created a page called “Just a boy trying to save his dog.”

    “I know I have been raising him right,” the GoFundMe’s description read. “With a heart of gold because he's so worried about our Bruce, he is beside the road trying to sell his favorite thing in the world just to make his puppy better.”

    As the story spread and online donations poured in, dozens lined up at Bryson’s stand. Selling each card for $5 to $10, the boy collected $400 in only two afternoons.

    Some neighbors brought their own Pokémon card collections and gave Bryson their cards to replenish his collection. Others donated money and dog supplies.

    Bryson's grandfather, David Cole Jr., said the family has received messages of support from people in China, Australia and Ireland.

    "With everything that's happened in the past year and a half, we need some sunshine," he said. "But for Bryson, all he knew was that his puppy was sick, and he'd do whatever it takes to save his puppy."

    Bryson has even been invited to the National Dog Show in November. And when an employee at the Pokémon Co. in Seattle caught wind of Bryson’s efforts, the company sent him packs of rare Pokémon cards.

    “He was stunned when he opened them,” Woodruff said.

    Woodruff said her son, whom she describes as shy and introverted, has been overwhelmed by the attention. After their local news station interviewed him, he told his mom, “I just want to be a kid.”

    “I never expected any of this,” Woodruff said. “It's given me hope for humanity. To see people come together like this to help my little boy was just beautiful."

    So far, the GoFundMe has raised more than $19,500. Woodruff decided to contact local shelters and animal hospitals and use the extra money to pay for what they may need or help families struggling to pay for health care for their dogs. Woodruff and Bryson have helped four families so far pay for their dogs’ medical care.

    Meanwhile, Bruce is “back to normal times 10,” Woodruff said.

    Woodruff said she hopes Bryson and Bruce’s story serves as a warning for people to get their dogs vaccinated and not to rely on self-administered vaccines unless they have experience using them.

    “I hope this story helps people realize that there's still good left in this world,” she said. “I'm amazed by the uproar of support for a little boy and his dog in small-town Lebanon, Virginia. Who would've thought?”

    Article
    614f378437484ced492f9484b1b8531a.jpeg
     
    • Like Like x 29
  2. Kamijou Touma

    Kamijou Touma ミサカ10032

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2002
    Posts:
    10,573
    Trophy Points:
    392
    Location:
    Gakuen Toshi
    Likes:
    +2,798
    That is so Beautiful. What a moving story. It brought me to tears.
     
  3. Electro Rush

    Electro Rush Just a guy waiting for the perfect Whirl

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2013
    Posts:
    14,281
    News Credits:
    21
    Trophy Points:
    342
    Location:
    Puerto Rico
    Likes:
    +21,345
    b3c827e693d30aedcdb676ee48678869.png
     
    • Like Like x 3
  4. therealsharky

    therealsharky Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2007
    Posts:
    1,495
    Trophy Points:
    287
    Likes:
    +3,888
    Such an uplifting story. Thanks for posting.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  5. Novaburnhilde

    Novaburnhilde Destron Enforcer

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2013
    Posts:
    23,967
    News Credits:
    45
    Trophy Points:
    362
    Likes:
    +49,306
    • Like Like x 11
  6. TheWarPathGuy

    TheWarPathGuy As cool as the earth is blue!

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2018
    Posts:
    6,223
    Trophy Points:
    247
    Location:
    Illinois, Chicago
    Likes:
    +7,457
    Sometimes we need to sacrifice things to save our loved ones, good kid.
     
    • Like Like x 3
  7. SPLIT LIP

    SPLIT LIP Be strong enough to be gentle

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2005
    Posts:
    97,681
    News Credits:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    462
    Location:
    agile house
    Likes:
    +98,706
    Instagram:
    If that's not heartwarming I don't know what is. I love that people, even the company that makes Pokemon cards, have sent him cards to rebuild his collection. So much wholesomeness in every way.
     
    • Like Like x 3
  8. Lazerwave

    Lazerwave My Most Prized Treasure

    Joined:
    May 29, 2007
    Posts:
    64,214
    News Credits:
    116
    Trophy Points:
    457
    Likes:
    +153,334
    Good kid! Brings tears to my eyes.
     
  9. solarstorm

    solarstorm Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2008
    Posts:
    4,346
    Trophy Points:
    312
    Likes:
    +2,643
    I dunno. That dog was dying of Parvo, which wouldn’t have happened if the parents took the dog TO A VET to get its shots. It’s the easiest illness to prevent. Nevermind the “we can’t afford it - let it die” response to the need for treatment.

    The parents seem really irresponsible - not just financially. No kid should have to be in this position.
     
    • Like Like x 5
  10. llamatron

    llamatron OFFICIAL MMC REP TFW2005 Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2002
    Posts:
    9,732
    News Credits:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    367
    Likes:
    +2,928
    Instagram:
    Irresponsible parents or a broken system that lead to a family being so financially strained that had to try and organise their own vaccination program for their dog. This is about as heartwarming as a kick to the dick.
     
    • Like Like x 8
  11. Dark Skull

    Dark Skull Well-Known Enabler Moderator

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2011
    Posts:
    36,042
    News Credits:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    402
    Likes:
    +19,642
    Rare cards to boot.
     
  12. Rodimus Prime

    Rodimus Prime Sola Gratia, Sola Fide TFW2005 Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2002
    Posts:
    26,237
    News Credits:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    442
    Likes:
    +37,213
    Found the cat.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  13. Novaburnhilde

    Novaburnhilde Destron Enforcer

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2013
    Posts:
    23,967
    News Credits:
    45
    Trophy Points:
    362
    Likes:
    +49,306
    Yes, the world isn't perfect and sometimes people need to make due with what they have because that's just the way the real world works. The Parovirus treatment costed money and the parents couldn't afford it, not really sure where you're getting confused. Plus I'm not sure you brilliant lot have noticed but there's kind of been a pandemic going on and it's put a lot of people in rather dire situations regarding money. But sure blame them for not being rEsPoNsIbLe. In some parts of the world they can't afford any kind of treatment whatsoever and the only option they have available to them is euthanasia, I suppose then you'd just blame the nearest adult or social worker for not 'doing better.'

    I'm glad you and those who liked this post have learned such an important lesson today.

    I'm all for dragging everyone down when what they're praising is dumb or meaningless, but at least be sure you have a valid point before doing it.

    You didn't, 's why I bothered responding. I mean nothing personal but these comments trying to blame the parents come across as painfully childish and naïve.
     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2021
    • Like Like x 2
  14. llamatron

    llamatron OFFICIAL MMC REP TFW2005 Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2002
    Posts:
    9,732
    News Credits:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    367
    Likes:
    +2,928
    Instagram:
    Try reading again, I'm obviously blaming "the system" and not the parents. But uh keep on raging against your perceived enemies.
     
  15. Novaburnhilde

    Novaburnhilde Destron Enforcer

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2013
    Posts:
    23,967
    News Credits:
    45
    Trophy Points:
    362
    Likes:
    +49,306
    You mentioned both ""the system"" and the 'irresponsible parents' in the same sentence, one of which is vague as hell and the other which is just seemingly incorrect given the available information. Though I find the 'try reading again' comment to be charming when all you posted was a sentence.

    Read it again and my point still stands. Now what?

    I don't perceive you as my enemy, you're just wrong and instead of bowing out gracefully you're being defensive.

    You posted what amounts to a typical 4chan post in response to a touching story about a young boy saving his dogs life, I'm amazed you seem at all surprised by my response.

    No hard feelings either way, even if you were kind of asking for it with such a post. I sometimes worry that I'm becoming too much of a jaded, cynical asshole but then there's people who will look at this situation and find some way to twist it into a negative thing. Some of you folks really gotta learn to lighten up, sometimes a wholesome story is just a wholesome story. There's not always a direct person to blame for others misfortune, just a series of unfortunate circumstances, that's life.
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2021
    • Like Like x 1
  16. Coffee

    Coffee (╭☞ꗞᨓꗞ)╭☞

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2013
    Posts:
    6,793
    News Credits:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    287
    Location:
    Ontario
    Likes:
    +4,172
    Vets cost money. Not having money does not = irresponsibility. People get dealt poor hands and sometimes the only cards they've got left to play are Pikachus.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  17. Nightwind

    Nightwind Aka Dusty Bottoms.

    Joined:
    May 4, 2007
    Posts:
    7,195
    Trophy Points:
    337
    Likes:
    +3,906
    People can be so goddamned jaded that they get blinded to positivity. I swear.

    You know what? Thank you both for your comments here! I usually just roll my eyes and move along when people seemingly come into what should be a positive conversation with the sole purpose of bringing everyone down, but damn! I would like to address a few things directly from the article:

    Bruce was diagnosed with parvo, a contagious virus that can be deadly if left untreated. Woodruff had given Bruce self-administered vaccines, including for parvo, in order to save money but didn’t realize they had to be refrigerated.

    Veterinarians told Woodruff that it would cost $655 for the first three days of Bruce’s treatment, and warned more could be needed, including thousands of dollars to keep him at the animal hospital overnight for up to a week. It was a price tag the family couldn't afford.


    The parents were treating the dog to the best of their knowledge within their budgetary means. This is in no way negligent. At best, you could argue ignorance on the mom's behalf due to not realizing that the vaccines need to be refrigerated.

    Thousands of dollars for most families is quite a bit of money. For a family that has at least one of the parents in school and possibly not able to provide financial assistance as a result, you start making choices when a bill like that comes up. Unfortunately, the possibility of putting the pet down is going to come up as a consideration.

    Woodruff explained the situation to Bryson the next morning.

    The fact that the mom was up front with her son about what may happen shows me that she is a responsible parent. Within reason, don't hide things from your kid. When my wife and I had made the decision to put our Shih Tzu down due to her health issues (we could afford it, but it wouldn't have resulted in a better living experience for her), we immediately told our daughter and explained why. She was sad for sure, but at least it wasn't a surprise and explaining why we made the decision did help.

    At first, Woodruff discouraged Bryson.

    “We'll figure this out,” she said. “Don't worry about it.”


    That, to me, indicates that they were going to do everything that they could within their power to save this dog because he is important to their family. Do we know what plan they may have had in place? No, because...

    After school, Bryson came home with a plan: He pulled a bunch of papers from his backpack – drawings scrawled on the back of his schoolwork of a stand with his Pokémon cards on it. He would sell his collection to save his puppy.

    This kid with his giant heart came up with a plan and executed it even when his parents said that they would find a way to take care of it. Because he loves his dog and he wanted to help. This is the point of the whole story. Possible tragedy that was prevented by a young child who shines so brightly that he moved other people and as a result he saved his dog. Not just his dog, but several others as well.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  18. solarstorm

    solarstorm Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2008
    Posts:
    4,346
    Trophy Points:
    312
    Likes:
    +2,643
    Long rant and tons of bold text+quotes aside, spending $100 bucks (or less) to get a shot administered by a vet prevents this whole fucking ordeal.

    It’s irresponsible to get a pet you cannot properly care for. Especially when doing things the right way, in the long run, is much more affordable than cutting corners.

    Your empathy is clouding your common sense. Moneys tight for some. There’s a pandemic. I get it. Maybe it’s not the best time to get a puppy, then. What’s better for your kid? Saying “we can’t afford a puppy right now” or saying “we need to let your puppy die because treatment is too expensive?”

    This is about as positive as people having to turn to GoFundMe to fund cancer treatment
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2021
    • Like Like x 2
  19. Nightwind

    Nightwind Aka Dusty Bottoms.

    Joined:
    May 4, 2007
    Posts:
    7,195
    Trophy Points:
    337
    Likes:
    +3,906
    There was no ranting and the bolded text was just because I hate long posts that do nothing to draw attention to certain points being made.

    I don't disagree about your points regarding responsibility and being able to afford a pet, but I still don't see that as being the case here. Other than seeking less expensive methods for treatment (which more people really should do), the only time affordability came into question was when there was the potential for thousands of dollars in bills.

    Either way, I'm done taking attention away from what should be an uplifting and positive thread. You do you and take it easy, man.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  20. Electro Rush

    Electro Rush Just a guy waiting for the perfect Whirl

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2013
    Posts:
    14,281
    News Credits:
    21
    Trophy Points:
    342
    Location:
    Puerto Rico
    Likes:
    +21,345
    Geez, and I thought *I* was a cynical curmudgeon....
     
    • Like Like x 2