Eight-year-old in Virginia sold his Pokémon card collection to help pay for his puppy’s parvovirus treatment
In 2021, 8-year-old Bryson Kliemann from Lebanon, Virginia, learned that his 4-month-old black lab mix puppy, Bruce, had parvovirus. The infection can be fatal without treatment, and the veterinary bill was around $650–$700 — more than the family could easily cover.
Bryson had been collecting Pokémon cards since he was four. He decided to sell them. He set up a roadside stand with a handmade sign and began selling the cards after school.
Neighbors stopped by. Some bought cards; others just donated money. His mother also set up a GoFundMe. Between the stand and online donations, far more than the needed amount was raised.
Bruce received treatment and recovered. The Pokémon Company later sent Bryson a package of rare cards to help replace the ones he had sold. Extra money raised went toward helping other families with pet medical bills.