Elfie's Fight.

My name is Patricia; I am a Vet Tech Assistant and have been a big animal advocate in the nutrition and rescue world for the past 15 years. In my spare time, you can find me helping train animals, giving medical and nutrition advice to those that need it or helping the pet community in any way I can. I usually am on GoFundMe looking for others that need help if I can give it, but now I'm asking for help for my pup, my heart and soul, Elfie.

I've had Elfie since she was an itty bitty, at just 10 weeks old and 4.2lbs. When I got her, she changed my entire world. She very quickly became my psychiatric service dog after battling depression and anxiety. She celebrates my wins; she celebrates my losses. When she isn’t doing well, I am not doing well. My boyfriend is a veteran, he served 10 years, and Elfie helps with his PTSD as well. She is now 9yrs old. If you've ever met Elfie, you know she is the sweetest, most gentle soul with the most profound understanding eyes of any animal you’ll encounter. She gives nothing but her whole self to anyone she comes in contact with, knowing exactly what you need and how to comfort you. She has helped me save countless animals by being demo/instructor dog. She has saved my life multiple times. She listens well and wants nothing more than to be beside her family, showering them with love and kisses at every moment. At only 9 yrs old, I know she still has a lifetime to spend with us.

On Friday, July 8th, Elfie started walking oddly and let me know something was wrong before collapsing and having a group of cluster seizures. All color left her gums and tongue, she was unresponsive, and her breathing was very labored. She could not hold her bowels in, so I wrapped her in a towel while she urinated all over me, and we rushed her to the emergency room. When we arrived at the hospital, they immediately took her from me, put a catheter in and hooked her up to an IV. The doctor confirmed my fears of her being unresponsive and told us that things were not looking good.

The next day, Saturday, Elfie still wasn’t doing well. They were able to stabilize her blood pressure, blood sugar and breathing, but she still wasn’t responding cognitively as she should be. They ran some tests and determined that she might be in liver or kidney failure, and the only way to know how to treat her best is by doing an ultrasound and a CT scan. The radiologist didn’t return to the hospital until later in the week, and with her values being what they were, the doctor weren't sure she would make it. They are giving her medications to help with her liver and kidneys in the meantime and keeping her on fluids and glucose to keep her stable. Finally, on Sunday, she is doing a small amount better, her cognitive function is improving, and she is fighting to come home to us. We have her ultrasound scheduled for Tuesday, July 12th.

With this being said, her treatment has become very costly. Elfie has helped so many people and animals and is fighting to get home to us. I am beside myself, thinking of nothing more than getting her home. I am looking for her comfort while writing this and can’t imagine a life without her. We will never give up on our daughter; she is our entire world, and we will move mountains to get her healthy and home, but we need to move fast on treatment options to save her. We need help; we can’t do this alone anymore. We have never asked for help from our loving dog community, but we hope you hear Elfie’s story and help as best as you can, even if that means sharing with those you know. My heart hurts. I hate asking for help, but I must try for my girl. Please help my Elfie come home to me. I need her just as much as she needs me.

Here are some photos of my sweet girl, so you know who you're helping as well as copies of her current bills.