This is a very hard post for me to write. One of my most admirable and yet least endearing qualities is my pride. I am an extremely independent woman who runs a small farm caring for over 60 animals on her own. I work full time outside of the farm in private healthcare. Every ounce of my being goes to helping others. But who’s going to help them if I have nothing left to give? Multiple friends and family members have been urging me to allow others to help during this process with Max. I have declined over and over again (stupid pride) but am starting to realize that I cannot let my pride hurt my animals. I have spent more in vet bills in the last two weeks than I have probably in my entire life. But that was my selfish choice. This has been a really, really hard one to swallow. I chose to continue on with Max’s intensive care (which will still be going on for the foreseeable future) but by doing so I have taken away from the other animals that rely on me. Charlie has a vet appointment with an avian specialist on Saturday and I so, so want to be able to get him a wheelchair. The geese need a new roof on their run that’s been nearly destroyed by my walnut tree. The chickens need a new roof on their coop by springtime. And every other unknown thing that pops up with animals on a farm. All things I thought I would be able to manage but I have selfishly taken away to save the life of my best friend. So I can either rehome all my animals to places that are in a better spot financially/take donations or I can swallow my fucking pride and let others help me, and more importantly, the animals. I want to be as transparent as possible. I am not a rescue/will gladly point anyone in the direction of some amazing humans who devote their lives to finding and helping animals in need if that’s what you’re looking for. I’m just a woman who helps out as much as I can, when I can, and until now I thought I could do it all on my own forever. I am not perfect. I know I can always do better. I should have done better. So, here I am, setting my pride down and trying to be a better human for the animals I care for.