Bean Needs Your Help for Heart Surgery

Thank you for taking the time to look at this GoFundMe.

My sweet little boy, Bean, just celebrated his 11th birthday, and although that might seem old for a dog, as a small breed his lifespan should be 16-18 years. Unfortunately, in May of this year, he was diagnosed with Stage C Congestive Heart Failure. Initially, the only treatment option available was medication management, which puts additional strain on his kidneys. The veterinarian informed me he only has 12 months left to live.

I was completely devastated. I adopted Bean from a shelter in April of 2015. Originally, I was just going there to volunteer and walk dogs, but something with Bean just clicked with me. I can’t quite explain it, but I just knew I needed to adopt him. He was very scared and aggressive at first and clearly had not been socialized. The shelter told me that he had been returned several times prior to my adoption, and that if I were to return him, they would have to transfer him to another shelter.

I couldn’t give up on him, and through many years I was able to help train his aggressive behavior out, and he has become the most adorable little love bug. His sole purpose in life is to play; it’s what gets him out of bed in the morning. He’s never been food motivated, but if you whip out a toy, he goes crazy and becomes your best friend. He has the biggest personality in a dog I have ever seen, and certainly isn’t afraid to let you know it!

I myself was only 19 when I adopted him and had recently left a religious cult I had been born and raised in. Bean has taught me so many life lessons over the many years we have been together. He was the first creature to truly teach me what it means to unconditionally love and unconditionally be loved. He has been a pillar of support for me in my darkest times and has actively saved my life on at least four occasions, and passively saved it countless times.

I refuse to give up on him, and I frantically began researching for any new treatments available for his heart condition, and luckily I found one. Developed in 2019, the TEER or V-Clamp procedure has the ability to essentially cure his heart murmur which has caused his heart failure. This would also result in the reduction or elimination of any prescription meds, thus extending his life from the 12-month estimate to 4-6 years. After extensive testing, lab work, endoscopies, echocardiograms, etc., and about $7,000 in medical expenses, the University of Colorado State Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Dr. Justin Allen of VCA have determined that he is eligible for the procedure. However, it comes with a cost of $16,000-$18,000. This includes the V-Clamp equipment, anesthesia, lab testing, etc., but is unfortunately more than I can afford.

My profession is audio engineering, and I was unfortunately affected by the writer’s and teamster’s strikes that have affected the entertainment industry. I was laid off in April of 2024 and was unable to find employment until January 2025 when I started looking at jobs 90+ miles away. I finally received a job in Victorville, However, due to finances and rent increases due to the January LA fires, I also have not been able to afford to relocate, and am stuck in Los Angeles, so I do commute 90 miles one way, 5 times a week, which puts additional financial strain on me in vehicle costs.

I am humbly asking from the bottom of my heart for any contributions that can help me save my little boy. He’s had a tough life, and now that he’s finally in his golden years, he deserves to be happy and healthy and discover the joys of being alive. It hurts me so much to think about how his heart murmur makes him uncomfortable and cough when I try to play with him. Playing is how he gets joy out of life, and I hope to bring back the ability to play fully again for him. Please help me help him. Please help save his life.