Hi, my name is Cheyenne. My boyfriend, Koby, and I live in Lancaster, Wisconsin with our sweet dog, Duke. We brought Duke home when he was just 8 weeks old, and from that very first day, he’s been the heart of our little family. He’s gone everywhere with us—tubing, fishing, family dinners—you name it, Duke was there. His favorite place in the world was Koby’s softball games, where he was showered with love and attention from every little kid who couldn’t resist his kisses and playful spirit. Duke isn’t just a dog to us—he’s our baby, our best friend, and the soul of our family. He’s full of personality, sass, and boundless love for anyone who would take it. He has this way of making everyone feel like they’re his favorite person. He truly is one of a kind. That’s why our hearts shattered when, at just over a year old, Duke suddenly became so sick. What started as bloating led us to the vet, where we learned the devastating news: Duke has left-sided heart failure. His little body was filled with over 14 pounds of fluid, leaving his organs just floating inside him. The medications haven’t helped. Now he’s weak, painfully thin, and can no longer run, play, or do the things he loves most. Watching the light in his eyes fade while he still tries so hard to be our happy boy is unbearable. Our local vet told us there was nothing more they could do. But we refused to give up on Duke. After doing our own research, we found hope at UW Madison’s veterinary hospital. They have advanced treatments that might give Duke a fighting chance. The only thing standing in our way is the cost. Just the first appointment alone is $1,000–$1,500, and that doesn’t include testing, procedures, overnight stays, or the time and travel it will take to get him there. We are desperate to save our boy. He has so much love left to give, and we can’t imagine our lives without him. Asking for help is not easy, but we can’t do this alone. If you are able to donate, no matter how small, it would mean the world to us and to Duke. Even just sharing his story can help. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us fight for our best friend.