When Tiffany Arbanas faced a heart-wrenching situation with her son’s pregnant dachshund, Honey, she encountered a stark reality—veterinary care can be prohibitively expensive. After struggling to secure funds for an emergency cesarean section, Arbanas found a lifeline in Dr. Robert Clark, a veterinarian who prioritized animal welfare over financial constraints.
The situation began on December 25, 2025, when Honey went into labor. After three days of distress, Arbanas sought help from various veterinary clinics in the Spokane area. Each clinic informed her that the surgery would cost approximately $4,000, an amount far beyond her means. With only $1,000 available, the response from the clinics was disheartening: she should consider making Honey comfortable for her last moments.
“I felt like a medical doctor sending a child away because their parents have no money,” Arbanas expressed. “I know it’s an animal, but it’s a life. A life is a life.”
In a desperate attempt to save Honey, Arbanas took to social media, posting about her plight on the platform Nextdoor. Within minutes, community members began recommending Dr. Clark, who runs Critters Care, a veterinary practice known for its commitment to animal welfare.
“He does this for the animals. He’s not doing it for money,” Arbanas said, echoing the sentiments of those who had previously benefitted from Clark’s services. Among the supporters was local resident Kayla Parsons, who praised Clark for his dedication, saying, “He can do payment plans and puts the animal first.”
Arbanas managed to reach Dr. Clark at 20:00 on December 28, three days after Christmas. To her surprise, he answered immediately. “And he said, ‘Listen, we’re going to take care of Honey first and we’ll talk about payment later. I’m not going to let a dog die,’” Arbanas recalled.
Clark treated Honey with antibiotics and assured Arbanas that if she did not give birth naturally that night, he would perform the cesarean section. The following morning, Arbanas rushed Honey to Clark’s clinic. “By the time I got to him, she was… I literally didn’t think she was going to make it,” she said.
Sadly, Honey gave birth to five puppies, none of which survived. Arbanas and her son, Trenton, had attempted to secure loans to cover the costs but were turned down. “He just started crying. I felt so bad,” Arbanas said, recalling the emotional toll of the situation. “He just couldn’t lose her. It was so heartbreaking.”
Honey’s journey began in the fall when Arbanas discovered her on the streets of Spokane, where she had been abandoned by her previous owner. “The dog was so incredibly skinny, you could see her rib cage,” Arbanas recalled. When she offered to take Honey in, the previous owner agreed, unable to care for her.
After the surgery, Dr. Clark continued to check on Honey’s recovery, calling ten times on December 29 to ensure she was doing well. Arbanas ultimately paid Clark $1,000 for his services.
To express her gratitude and support for Clark’s work, Arbanas has initiated a GoFundMe campaign aimed at helping him cover medical supplies and medications for his animal patients.
Today, Honey is fully recovered and thriving, showcasing the impact of compassion and dedication within the veterinary community. Dr. Clark, while declining to give interviews, remains committed to providing care to those in need, as he noted that his phone continues to ring with calls for help.
This story underscores the importance of community and compassion in times of crisis, where a life—be it human or animal—holds immeasurable value.
