Meet Louis: my loyal, baby carrying (toys = ‘babies’ and he always has one in tow), ball-loving, brown eyed boy who’s been living with my parents (Geepa/Geema) ever since I, “forgot to pick him up” a few years ago when nursing school consumed me.

Under my dad’s watch (Geepa Ton) Louis chased one too many balls & now he’s left with torn CCLs (doggy ACLs) in not one but BOTH back legs.

Despite a daily regimen including vitamins/minerals, nerve blocks, anti-inflammatories, and hefty doses of pain meds he’s barely moving — it’s breaking my heart.

Here’s the hard part: surgery is expensive. It’s estimated to be $5,500/per leg. Surgery is scheduled for 10/16. Once he recovers we’ll do the other side. Geema wants to help, but Geepa? That’s a no. He said: “Don’t you dare do a GoFundMe.” His resolution: Euthanization. So naturally here I am, proving him wrong (again). If you know me, you know. Simply put… when you don’t have an excess of money yourself, you get creative.

I want to show Geepa Tony that people do care about Louis. Maybe even more than he’d ever imagine. Small donations from many add up to something big. Enough so I did some quick calculations to find that if approx. 25% of my Mom’s Facebook friends donate $10, we’ll hit our $5,000 goal.

Louis isn’t “just a dog”. He’s family. He’s been my baby since freshmen year of college. He’s moved through the lowest of lows and celebrated the highest of highs in our lives. He’s the stubborn reminder that love sometimes comes with an excess of fur, dirty paws and costly expenses.

Edited to add: surgery date (see above) scheduled, the biggest THANK YOU to those who have contributed, seriously, thanks so much, & for a few who have even requested to Venmo in avoidance of 3rd party fees (@kyliesly). So appreciative.