Contribute to India's Medical & Transition Costs

Hello Friends + Family,

On May 2nd, 2024 our beloved angel left earth side peacefully with the assistance of a wonderful death doula from Lap of Love underneath a citrus tree on my property.

After she transitioned, I adorned her sweet vessel with fresh local flowers, crystals, and her favorite mouse. She was then placed in the most perfect cinnamon roll-shaped grave dug by my dear friend, Frank Belo.

All moments that led to this once feel like a fever dream.

In late March, we noticed that our little girl was starting to eat and drink less. And with that, her little spunk started to dwindle; all she wanted was sunshine and tight snuggles.

She had just gotten an annual check up only a month before and all of her general examination results came out well! So, I imagined that her eating preferences were simply shifting with her age.

Over the course of 2.5 weeks, she tried everything - from prescribed wet foods to freshly baked salmon. She'd be interested in it, but would only eat a small few nibbles and walk away.

On April 18th, I knew something was very very wrong and got the first appointment I could on 4/20 with India's primary care at Newberry Animal Hospital on Main Street. And through an x-ray, we learned that she had an abdominal tumor and some detected foreign growths close to her lung region.

The doctor who saw her was not an oncologist, but she knew that India was not going to make it very much longer and suggested that I put her down that morning.

There was no way I could have made that decision without proper testing or to KNOW that there was something that I could do.

I called my sister Yvonne Lozano and my dear love Danny Ospino after the doctor left me alone with India and the news. They both supported any decision I made and held me from afar as I cried.

I decided it wasn't time. So, India was given fluids and came home with pain medication and an appetite stimulator. And that afternoon she ate for the first time in almost two days and it gave me so much hope.

I called my friend Haley Olsen, a practicing veterinarian, and she consulted me in what she would do if India were hers. It was so supportive; she gave me direction and peace into the weekend.

As the news sunk in, my dear friend and housemate Tess Schoepflin & I slowed WAY down and prioritized stillness and naps with India at home until I was able to get her an emergency visit with Dr. Stacey Foxx Alvarez at Community Care Veterinary Specialists on 4/25 for a biopsy.

Danny accompanied us for this appointment and was such a strong energy to be with as I was told that India had terminal lymphoma (cancer). It was so bad that chemo or surgery would have made it worse.

They gave me more medication to maintain her comfort until I was ready to let her go.

That was on a Thursday. The medication she was provided gave her LIFE! She seemed cozier and her little spunk was re-sparked but it was still a tedious process to get her to eat.

That weekend, my mom and sister Yvonne came to visit and I filled them in on some research I found about pet owners who cured their cat's lymphoma with herbal supplements.

I felt like this was the answer. I could keep her stable with the vet's prescriptions and help her beat this thing! I ordered everything she would have needed and continued to keep her nourished with a daily IV and bone broth.

On Wednesday, May 1st I went to give India her medication, in a new way, which allowed me to peer into the inside of her mouth for the first time. I now understood why she wasn't eating. Not only did she have a growth that was smushing her stomach organ but her mouth was raw and it was so obvious that it was the cancer.

I called Dr. Foxx-Alvarez and she confirmed that India was too far gone and it was certainly time.

I accepted the truth and scheduled an appointment with Lap of Love for an at-home transition for the next day. After I scheduled the appointment, I texted my sweet friend Ian Clotz to let him know and he came over to take the most stunningly dreamy photos of our girl on her last evening.

The next day, India and I slept in and approached the day as if it were any other lazy Sunday. She was so pleased that I spent the greater part of the afternoon gardening because that meant she could curiously tap into everything I was doing while soaking in the sunshine until Dr. Susan came at 3 PM.

India graced us for nearly 11 years and offered us so much joy, peace and wisdom. The final days of her life were a deep prayer to remember that there is nothing more important than each other.

The web of support that caught me in this free fall of surrender continues to blanket me.

I am eternally grateful for each individual who took a moment to enter our sphere to offer love and support. I couldn't have done this alone and because of this experience, I KNOW that I never will have to. And the same goes for you too. We are here for each other.

All my love,

Angie

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India's Medical & Compassionate Transition Costs ~

Total: $2,069