GoFundFreen: Help Freenie the Chihuahua Survive and Thrive

TL;DR--my best friend Freenie needs surgery and I am asking for help if you are able. (But if you want to read my big blubbery vulnerable story and oversharing, it's tea.)

I feel a lot of shame and guilt asking when "Kim, there's people dying," (and it's been a rough year of loss for people in my communities, my city, the country, the world, and the planet) but I am humbling myself to ask for your help. Despite lifestyle downsizing this year and getting a steady job, like a lot of us, I'm still struggling. I was so proud of myself for starting to get back on my feet, catch up with bills, and save a tiny little emergency fund....

Well, that was drained this week when I had to rush my best friend, my pal, my homeboy, my rotten soldier, my sweet cheese Francine "Freenie" the Chihuahua to the emergency vet. It was midnight on the last night of my birthday solo (+dog) retreat in the desert and I drove an hour to the closest ER vet down the mountain in pitch black with high winds and desert weirdos cutting me off on winding roads, slept in the car til sunrise, then headed back to LA for a couple more days of long hours in the local ER vet.

Diagnosis: femoral head fracture. The explanation of the surgery and the injury: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/femoral-head-ostectomy-fho-in-dogs

There was no sudden or dramatic injury, and scans show some abnormalities in the bone that might indicate cancer as a cause. X-rays were needed to rule out any metastasized cancer in the rest of her body. I had to wait to get x-rays because of my financial situation, during which time I cried off and on for like 18 hours in a row (literally got dehydrated). Luckily it hadn't spread (SO RELIEVED) and we got the okay for surgery. That's where the money worries really started.

The outside figure for the procedure is estimated at $6500 (not counting the $2000 I already paid for the ER visits, x-rays, meds, etc). Hopefully it won't be that much. I thankfully have pet insurance (from Embrace, who are great and I recommend) but it doesn't cover everything and it doesn't pay out til after the surgery and the invoice is paid which is why I need funds up front.

Freen is my soul dog and emotional support (people take advantage of that privilege and the few times I used a certification for it was on planes--my phobia of flying is severe and she's my furry anti-anxiety pill). She's the one good thing to come out of an abusive situation I escaped 10 years ago. She's my roommate, little spoon, hot water bottle, alarm system, my angel baby.

She's 12, which is still middle-aged for a Chi. She's totally healthy otherwise, all her organs and vitals look good, she's mentally sound, with good vision and hearing, and a full set of teeth, virtually unheard of in senior Chihuahuas! This surgery will improve her quality of life and extend it, and most importantly relieve her pain. I have always said I'd have her for 20 years, and I'm confident this surgery will get us at least 5-6 more, maybe even longer. (I'm not asking for $25K for a 21-year-old cat who doesn't want to be here anymore. Freenie is so sassy and wants to run around, even with this injury, it's very frustrating to her that she can't.)

I'm so lucky that the job I enjoy that doesn't pay me enough to live off of provides really great human health insurance, and I promise to never fundraise for myself or my human injuries or illness! I've never had a wedding or baby shower. (Oh, boo hoo. But seriously, people throw so much money at these events that society considers accomplishments, and people who haven't done it don't get to make registries.) I've come so close in my hours of destitution to asking for mutual aid but my stupid pride/Catholic guilt/self-flagellation for not being financially responsible or not being marginalized enough (but if you want stats I'm moderately marginalized lol) or trying hard enough or deserving joy has kept me from asking.

So now I'm asking. Please help me relieve my precious Freenie's pain. If you've read this far (and navigated the neuroses, sorry I'm so tired and stressed) THANK YOU. Whether you can give $3 for some treats or $1000 because you're a moneybags dog lover, I will be eternally grateful!!! If you can't give, I appreciate your shares. I thank you, and Freenie thanks you. <3