Hi, my name is Waneta. I live in San Diego, California. I've been a professional dog groomer for 23 years. I've worked at the same place for 3 years. I'm loyal to my customers and dedicated to the place I work. I have a dog, a Husky mix named Lotus, who's 4 years old. I've had him since he was 18 weeks. My daughter bought him from a friend. She and her boyfriend were in between places, so I offered to keep him overnight so he'd be safe. Long story short...I committed myself to him, and he became mine.

He's been my rock and has kept me grounded. Without him, I probably wouldn't have gone to places like Big Bear; just the two of us to get away and spend one-on-one time together since I'm at work all day and deal with everyday life and bills at night. With the costs of living rising as much as it has, with even food doubling in cost, it's hard to make ends meet. It's been quite the struggle, especially when working on commission.

When Lotus was about 2 1/2, he had his first seizure. I took him to the vet, and they said there wasn't really anything they could do unless he had one in front of them. Needless to say, I've tried a couple of different vets and finally settled on one. A couple of months go by, and he had another seizure. Finally, they prescribed him Keppra. That seemed to help for a little while, then he had another. They said they were epileptic seizures. Basically, it was just about having them under control. He was having them every month or two, up until a few months ago. He then started having double seizures every couple of weeks. A couple of times, he had 2 in one day. They prescribed him Zonisamide. That didn't work.

I took him to a neurologist, and he prescribed him Phenobarbital. A week later, he had 2 seizures again in 1 day. So, they upped the dose of all of them. It's killing me that I have to give him 5 1/2 pills twice a day. It's changed him; I just want to take it all away from him. The cost of an MRI, which is the only thing left to do, is $3000. I'm trying to save for that now.

I also desperately need help with my car. It needs an oil pan gasket...$795, and both front and rear valve covers...$1527. $2300 worth of work. The severity level on a scale of 1 being good and 5 needing immediate attention, they're both at a 5. They said I shouldn't be driving it, but if I have to, I can't take it far; it'll seize the engine. This is my only way to get my dog to his neurological appointments in Kearney Mesa. Not to mention if I have to rush him anywhere.

Really, I need a new used car. I bought this car a year ago and have put $2400 into repairs 3 months later, after paying $10,000 for it. Now I just replaced the air intake boot for $322 and can't drive anywhere. I already owe electric $400, which I'm going to pay $200 toward tomorrow. I've got my phone bill, insurance for car, pet, and renters, and my rent is $1600. Right now, I can only pay my insurances monthly instead of every 6 months as I used to.