For those who don’t know, this is Balboa. He is my best friend, closest confidant and emotional support animal. He’s 6 years old, loves literally all humans and animals, and has the best spirit of any dog I’ve ever known.

In March of 2024, he went completely blind in one eye literally overnight, with no previous signs of vision loss or discomfort. A next day visit to the emergency vet suspected glaucoma, which was then confirmed by a canine ophthalmologist a week later. We were given a diagnosis of acute primary glaucoma with lens luxation in his blind eye and subluxation in his “good” eye, with the prognosis of 6 months to a year of sight in his good eye, with the use of Rx drops.

Within a month of losing his sight, his eye burst and we had to get it emergency removed. We scrambled to make it happen, both financially and schedule-wise, and luckily it was successful with no complications.

Fast forward just over a year later, and we’re faced with a completely blind dog who is still in his prime, zestful, happy and now confused and quite literally lost. We know he will be struggling with pressure and extreme discomfort in his eye, and another enucleation (eye removal) is in his near future.

We have a large family and are on a semi-fixed income. It is my hope that we can raise as much as we can to get Balboa his surgery. I am now my dog’s support human; emotional and physical. He has placed his entire being in my hands, and I am honored to have his complete trust. In the past year I’ve learned that even though it’s hard, it is okay to reach out and ask for help. Humans are made for community and connection. I would be doing my best friend a disservice if I don’t try everything in my power to get his surgery and get him back to a place of confidence and comfort.

Any help you’re able to offer- financially, spiritually, etc. is appreciated more than you know. We are so grateful to live in a time that allows technology to reach people and places we physically cannot.

God bless