My name is Irene, and I recently lost my precious French Bulldog, Latte. Latte was my heart. She was my comfort, my companion, and my family. One tragic day, Latte accidentally swallowed a small bully stick that became lodged in her throat. She couldn’t breathe. I rushed her to an emergency hospital, where she was resuscitated and placed on a ventilator. She stabilized and was transported by ambulance to VCA Orange County Veterinary Specialist in Tustin. When we arrived, I was told I had to pay $20,000 upfront for just the first 24 hours of treatment. I am an elderly woman living on a fixed income. I was in shock. I had no time to process the cost or seek alternatives. I was told payment was required immediately in order for treatment to continue. I felt like I had no choice. To save Latte’s life, I took out a loan for the full amount. The next morning, I was told she was improving and beginning to breathe on her own — my heart filled with hope. But then I was told I would need to pay an additional $10,000 for the next 24 hours, and similar amounts for each additional day. I simply did not have the funds to continue. With the most broken heart imaginable, I was forced to make the devastating decision to put my sweet Latte to rest — not because she couldn’t survive, but because I could not afford the continued cost of care. No one should ever have to choose between financial ruin and their best friend’s life. I am now left grieving — and facing overwhelming debt from the loan I took out in a desperate attempt to save her. I have started this GoFundMe to ask for help in paying back that loan. Any donation, no matter how small, would mean the world to me. If you cannot donate, please consider sharing this page. Latte was deeply loved. Thank you for helping me honor her and find some relief during this heartbreaking time. With gratitude, Irene