Update 1/30: I've reduced the goal because I've been working with our property manager on me being a little late on rent next month, so I will have time for a paycheck to come in. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far! It's such a relief to all of us at this horrible time.

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Original Post: Chiquita has been struggling for the last month or so following a stroke, but this little lady is not ready to go anywhere just yet. Four trips to the vet and a specialist have been rough going on mom, though. All the credit cards are maxed out, bank account officially drained (as of the 28th), and many days of missed work are making it impossible to keep up without asking for help.

So here it goes, we need help. I'm asking for the bare minimum that will get us through our rent and this latest emergency. Altogether we are in over $8000 with this tiny mutt in the last couple of weeks, but I've been able to squeak by with credit cards and creative shuffling of paychecks. But now, we are struggling.

Chiquita is in the back on oxygen as I write this, and I am in tears and a complete wreck. At about 1pm, she woke me up looking like she was drowning in her own fluids. After a whole night of being up and down the steps to bed, she placed her little paws on my face and collapsed. They were stone cold. I grabbed her up, threw on clothes, and we ran out the door to the vet. She was floppy like a rag doll and struggling to breathe through her mouth. They took her back immediately because her tongue was blue. I'm still waiting to see what's happening with this latest event, but that gives me some time to write this.

I can't thank our community, friends, and family enough for all of the support for Chiquita. She's such a well-loved, special little lady. Aside from these past few weeks, she's always been the picture of health. Spunky and bouncy, nothing gets her down. I just want her to feel good. After a life of hardship, she deserves the best life of leisure in her old age.