❤️ Please Help Karla & Betty ❤️

On 22nd September, Betty should be celebrating her 14th birthday. Instead, Karla is facing one of the most frightening and emotionally and financially exhausting times of her life.

On Saturday 12th September, during what should have been a happy birthday celebration, Betty suddenly suffered what appeared to be a vestibular attack.

At almost 14 years old, Betty had been remarkably fit and healthy. She was her usual happy self - and then, seemingly in the blink of an eye, everything changed.

She began stumbling and struggling to walk, with her head tilted to one side. She was unable to eat and drink properly, and Karla understandably knew that something wasn't right.

Betty was taken to the vet that day.

But by the following day, her symptoms had become considerably worse, resulting in an emergency visit to the out-of-hours vet.

Still unhappy with Betty's condition and knowing her beloved girl wasn't herself, Karla refused to simply accept that this was something they should wait and see. She sought the opinion of a veterinary neurologist.

The neurologist recommended an MRI scan, which was carried out there and then.

The results were devastating.

The MRI revealed a mass in Betty's jaw/throat area.

At this stage, there are still unanswered questions about exactly what the mass is. The neurologist discussed several options with Karla, including hospitalising Betty and treating her with strong intravenous antibiotics and steroids for several days, in the hope that if the mass is being caused by an infection, the treatment may reduce it and improve her condition.

A biopsy has also been discussed, but because of the location of the mass, there is a significant risk of bleeding.

And if, ultimately, the mass were found to be cancerous, the position means that unfortunately it would not be operable.

For now, Karla is doing everything she possibly can to give Betty a chance.

Betty is currently hospitalised and receiving treatment. And the financial cost has already become enormous.

The MRI alone has cost £4,500, with the veterinary bills already running into thousands of pounds, and further treatment and hospitalisation potentially still to come.

Behind the veterinary bills is a woman who has spent years helping everyone else's dogs.

Karla is a self-employed, single dog parent.

In order to care for Betty, she has had to cancel her work and has now been without an income for almost a week - at exactly the same time as the veterinary bills are mounting.

But anyone who knows Karla knows that Betty isn't simply 'her dog'.

Betty is her world.

They are more like sisters than owner and dog. They are a double act. They have shared almost 14 years of life together, and their bond is incredibly special.

And there is something else that makes this appeal particularly important.

Many of you will know Karla through the No Bull group.

What started from Karla's own experiences during the early years of having Betty - including mistakes she made and lessons she learned along the way - grew into a community created with one simple purpose:

to help other dog parents give their dogs the very best care possible.

Today, that community has grown to around 115,000 members.

Behind those numbers are thousands upon thousands of dogs and their families who have benefited from Karla's knowledge, experience, compassion and willingness to help.

Karla doesn't earn a penny from doing this.

She gives her time because she genuinely cares.

She will stay awake until the early hours of the morning answering people's questions, researching, supporting worried owners and sharing her knowledge - often when she should be sleeping, working or simply looking after herself.

I've personally seen the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into helping other people and their dogs, sometimes at considerable personal expense.

Karla has always been passionate about natural health, while also recognising the important role conventional veterinary medicine and pharmaceutical treatment can play when our dogs need it. Her priority has always been the same:

doing whatever is necessary to help dogs live the healthiest, happiest and most comfortable lives possible.

She has spent years giving so much of herself to other people and their dogs.

Now, it's time for us to give something back to Karla.

This isn't about expecting anyone to pay Betty's entire veterinary bill.

It's about helping a friend, a fellow dog lover, a daughter, sister, friend and an incredible member of the dog community through an incredibly difficult time.

Every donation, no matter how small, could help towards Betty's hospitalisation, medication, investigations and ongoing veterinary care - and help take just a little of the financial pressure away from Karla while she concentrates on the most important thing of all:

being there for Betty.

And if you aren't in a position to donate, please don't feel bad. Sharing this fundraiser is just as valuable. ❤️

And perhaps we can make Betty's 14th birthday a little bit special.

Because without Betty, No Bull will have never existed.

The lessons Karla learned while caring for Betty helped inspire something that has gone on to help countless other dogs and their families.

So, as Betty approaches her 14th birthday on 22nd September, perhaps we can look at this as a very special birthday present from the community she helped create.

A little something back for the woman who has given so much.

For Karla.

For Betty.

And for the countless dogs whose lives have been touched by them both.

Please donate if you can, share if you can't, and keep this very special girl in your thoughts.

Let's show Karla that after all the years she has spent standing beside everyone else when they needed help, she doesn't have to stand alone now.

❤️ Come on, No Bull family - let's get behind our girl and her Betty. ❤️