From our GoFundMe:

And like a miracle our goal was met, literally, overnight!

What I thought would be impossible, and have been toiling away late at night from our small box in Afghanistan to accommodate the time difference back in the states, has happened. The only thing left to do is receive a reply from AMK9 or their parent affiliate, Constellis, that confirms that there is some amount of money that would pique their interest and accommodate their need to achieve some sort of financial success to allow Abel and I too remain together.

Ive been having a lot of thoughts lately about this entire affair and considering the worst case scenario, I know things will be alright. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not giving up by any means. But, I know that Ive trained an amazing dog and no matter how strong our bond might be, that strength came from some foundation.

This dog has been able to endure all of the challenges that Ive presented to him and as sad as it might be, I think I may have developed a strength in him that will allow Abel to persevere should we have to part ways.

I truly believe that to fail will be much harder on me that it will him. It’s not easy for me to admit a vulnerability but in my daily attempts to maintain objectivity and not get lost in the emotion of all of this, I think I might have just a bit.

I love this dog and have poured all of the positive aspects of a relationship into him that I possibly can that I never had growing up. But my desire to protect him might be becoming a bit of an obsession. I will continue to fight for Abel, not by attacking or pointing out the shortcomings of others, but by pleading for compassion, the same compassion that all of you have shown me.

As exhausting as this experience has been, the lessons learned, the relationships built, and the understanding that Ive gained of what I am capable of will be tokens that I will carry, guiding me through the certain successes I will experience in the future.

My life has been forever changed by this experience and I hope to be of as much support to others as you all have been to me in the future.

As sure as the sun will rise in the morning, I am forever grateful,

Rick & Abel