SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) – After San Jose Earthquakes forward Preston Judd scored a goal in first-half stoppage time in the Quakes’ April 4 win against San Diego FC, he made a beeline to the corner-kick flag, dropped to all fours, and pretended to urinate on it like a dog would.  The seemingly odd celebration earned Judd a fine for what the MLS called an “inappropriate gesture,” but Judd said the celebration had a deeper meaning to him.  In early April, Judd’s dog, Poppy, had become extremely ill – vomiting, shaking and becoming lethargic.  Giants manager Vitello quotes Kanye after first career win “She’s my guard dog. She’s there whenever I need her. She’s always around. She’s a little too crazy and protective, but she’s special,” he told KRON4. Several visits to veterinarians and emergency hospitals revealed that Poppy had mesenteric torsion, a rare condition that threatens the intestines, Judd wrote on a GoFundMe.  The dog was rushed into emergency surgery. Doctors told Judd she might not survive the procedure. “They called me in the surgery, and they said, ‘She’s probably not going to make it. Most dogs don’t make it through this surgery. We might have cut early enough but we’ll keep you updated.’ In that moment I was broken,” he said.  But Poppy miraculously pulled through. Still, the surgery came at a cost – of more than $30,000.  Judd was able to afford it, but the procedure gave him a new perspective. So, he is starting “Poppy’s Promise,” a nonprofit dedicated to helping pet owners who cannot afford their creature’s medical bills. “I know lots of people are not as lucky to have the support or have the money to pay up front, and they’re going to have no option but to let their dog go,” he said.  A brutal sickness inspired not just a goofy celebration for Judd, but also an idea to make the world a better place. ...read more read less