Writing this feels almost impossible, as the pain of losing our beloved Copper is still so raw. Just days ago, we were preparing ourselves to ask for help to afford life-saving treatment for our beautiful boy. But in the blink of an eye, our world turned upside down, and we found ourselves making the heart-breaking decision to let him go. We never imagined we'd be in this position, and it’s with a heavy heart that we reach out to you now.

Copper was more than a pet to us—he was a cherished member of our family, a constant source of joy, and the glue that held us together during some of our darkest times. He came into our lives as a rescue puppy, and over the past 17 months (we was just a baby himself still!), he became an emotional support for our beautiful girls (one with ASD and one suffering terribly from bullying), as well as my unwavering companion during my most challenging moments. I’ve battled severe mental health challenges, including a significantly difficult event last August. Copper was the literal reason things weren't worse. Without sharing very personal details—though sharing this is hard enough—I hope you can understand the extra special connection I had with him. Copper was the reason I kept going when everything else seemed too overwhelming and I felt I was letting my family down. He was our light, our joy, and our hope. He was the reason I wasn’t alone when life moved on around me, when I felt unable to find comfort in anyone else. I have c-PTSD, ASD, and ADHD (so many letters), and my suffering over recent years has been tremendous. In that August, I couldn’t find a way out. I now not only miss my beautiful boy for the wonderful being he was but also struggle to see how I will move forward without him.

Last week, Copper suddenly fell ill. At first, the vet dismissed our concerns, but a few hours later, I took him to the emergency vet, where it became clear that something was seriously wrong. What initially seemed like a fairly routine issue, possibly resolved with a simple surgery and a diet change, quickly escalated. Despite the best efforts of two veterinary teams, Copper’s condition deteriorated rapidly. His bladder and other organs were severely damaged, something the vets had never seen before. What should have been a straightforward treatment turned into an unimaginable nightmare.

We did everything we could to save him, even considering transferring him to a specialist for intensive surgery that would have cost between £8,000 and £12,000—far beyond what our insurance could cover. A close friend suggested we start a GoFundMe to help with the costs, as we were ready to do whatever it took to give Copper a fighting chance. But before we could even start asking for help, we were faced with the devastating reality that Copper was suffering, and his chances of recovery were very slim. In the end, the kindest thing we could do was to let him go peacefully, surrounded by the love he gave us every day.

Now, on top of the unbearable grief, we are facing significant financial strain. The veterinary costs, which quickly spiralled out of control well above our insurance coverage, have left us with around £3,500 in debt—far more than we can manage given our current situation. I have been on long-term sick leave since early 2023, and today, I was made redundant. For over a year, we’ve been living on a single income, with debts mounting and the pressure becoming almost too much to bear.

My art business, which I’ve poured my heart into for the past eight years, has never been a major or even stable source of income. I’ve dedicated much of my time and resources to charity work, fundraisers, and community projects, often working for free because it brings me joy and gives me a sense of purpose. But now, I find myself in a position where I’m struggling to keep my family afloat while also trying to cope with this immense loss.

As difficult as it is to ask for help, we are desperate. Anything raised will go directly toward paying off the credit card charges from the emergency vet visits, Copper’s treatments, and his cremation. We don’t expect to raise much, but every little bit helps as we try to navigate this incredibly challenging time.

I need time to recover, to support my family, and to try to find some peace in the wake of this tragedy. Copper was the reason I survived my darkest days, and now, without him, I am struggling to find my way. The financial pressure on top of this grief is overwhelming, and I am frozen with fear about what the future holds.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, generosity, and understanding. Copper was our everything, and your support means more to us than words can express.

With deep gratitude,

Sarah, Gavin and Family