FiFi's Emergency Hospitalization Bills

If you'd like to get to know FiFi before considering a donation, she has a tiktok with lots of videos about her goofy self! TikTok Link Here

If you prefer to donate via venmo, you can do so to @maddie-griffin this will avoid the GoFundMe fees of 2.9% + $.30 per donation

About the Emergency & Funds

FiFi is a deaf Great Pyrenees who was recently diagnosed with Laryngeal Paralysis after multiple vets dismissed her breathing issues as "her not being able to hear herself - she's deaf!" Laryngeal Paralysis is when the cartilage that opens and closes during breathing is paralyzed - meaning it is extremely hard for the animal to breathe due to the permanently closed airway. If you have met Fifi, you have definitely heard FiFi. Her breathing was loud, labored, and raspy, and she was very limited physically because of this.

Once FiFi received a Laryngeal exam and was officially diagnosed August 15th 2023, the vet decided to have her come in the very next morning for emergency tie back surgery. The exam required sedation and totaled $300. This surgery totaled $5,600, and essentially ties back one side of the cartilage to allow for proper air flow. Unfortunately, two days after the surgery, FiFi had swelling that put her into respiratory distress, and back to the hospital we went. She spent 4 nights in the ICU, totaling $7600. Her antibiotics after her release totaled $200. We later learned that her Tie Back surgery had failed, as the piece of cartilage had fallen and was once again blocking her airway. To provide a good quality of life, the only option was to repeat the surgery on her other side on September 13th 2023. This surgery and exam totaled $2,800.

5 days later, FiFi once again had worrisome symptoms - coughing, dry heaving, swelling... She was brought back to the ER, and had to stay in their care for 2 days to treat Aspiration Pneumonia and the chronic swelling. This care totaled $4200. Thankfully, this surgery has not failed as of today, September 20th 2023, and her breathing has improved significantly.

FiFi has just returned home and is being treated for her Pneumonia, but as you can imagine, this extremely unfortunate circumstance has put myself in financial distress. As uncomfortable as I am asking others for help, this is simply not a cost I can cover on my own. I do not have a car in Chicago as her usual vet is just down the street, so rental cars to and from MedVet appointments/pickups a few neighborhoods over totaled $500.

That all brings us to our grand total of $21,200.

FiFi's Story

FiFi is an Emotional Support Animal as recommended by my licensed therapist - After the traumatic loss of my mom in 2015, we agreed a dog would be a great support system after graduating college. As someone who grew up with large dogs, their comfort was always what grounded me during rough moments. FiFi was rescued at 5 years old, and what sold me was her description on the rescues page - "Loves to snuggle and be pampered" Which like, don't we all? Anyways, she was exactly what I needed, and her floofy snuggles have gotten me through some extremely hard times. She has always been a slower girl who occasionally romps in the Chicago snow, and she loves laying outside a nearby Chicago church and "guarding" it - mostly people watching, soaking up the attention of passer-bys, saying hi to her #1 fan, a toddler named Reese, and barking at anyone wearing neon. At a dog park, she would much rather rub up against humans for pets than spend her energy playing with other dogs, and if you have treats on you... she will smell them. As a deaf girl, that sense of smell is no joke. FiFi was previously a Livestock Guardian Dog on a ranch in Oklahoma, but the owners had to sell the ranch and relocate the animals, which thankfully brought this sweet angel to me. My friends will roll their eyes at how often I'm posting about how much I love her on instagram, how I'm taking yet another video of her in her raincoat for her tiktok, or how I canceled plans because she's asleep on my leg and how dare I disturb that!

Thank You

It took a lot of convincing to make this, as asking for financial help is not always easy. Thank you for considering a donation, and I genuinely appreciate every penny to help us through this. I promise to give her a pat on the head on your behalf!

Excess Funds

In the case of us exceeding our goal, excess funds will be donated to FiFi's original rescue, Tiny N' Tall.

LarPar Information

To learn more about Laryngeal Paralysis, click here