In short, we are trying to raise $2,000 to help Amanda Carbajal pay for her pup Higgie's cancer treatment. Higgie is a beautiful, gentle soul who was rescued by Amanda last year, and they quickly became inseparable. While Amanda nourished Higgie back to good health, Higgie became an incredible support for Amanda while she's had to endure one of the most challenging times in her life. Unfortunately, Higgie has developed a cancerous tumor on his mouth. The vet said that he can have a good, healthy life, but only if the tumor is removed ASAP. Given that Amanda's PhD stipend is quite low to begin with and doesn't allow room for emergencies like this, we are asking for help, so donations of any amount would be so very much appreciated. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and consider contributing.

A statement from Amanda:

"Would like to acknowledge a donation of $800 by M. Emerson, $50 by M. Hall thus far. 

This price includes: the fees I already paid for his biopsy, office visit, general anesthesia,  for an 80lbs dog, surgery, antibiotics and aftercare, as well as sending the tumor/sample out to double-check that this surgery will solve the spreading problem, check up office visits and aftercare especially for a few days when I can't take them off going into lab.

I have wanted a dog since 2015. My partner at the time told me I would be a terrible dog parent, that the dog would probably die. 

It wasn't until the pandemic that I became brave enough to go through with it. Higgie Boo was adopted on June 2nd. Higgie and I clicked instantly at Alamo Square park in San Francisco, where he was being fostered. I took him home to San Jose and we began our amazing bond.

The last year of my life leading up to recently has been easily one of the hardest of my life. Higgie Boo has provided me support, comfort, laughs, purpose and companionship in hard times like having to move during a pandemic (2x),  extreme heartbreak (1x) and lowkey mini ouch break (1x). Higgie Boo helped me study for my Qualifying Exam, and was there to celebrate with me. Though I have had hard times before through the loss of love, the hardships of my brothers or being away from family, this past year was the first year I genuinely considered going on SSRIs to treat the depression I acquired. I believe it was due to Higgie that I was fortunate enough to work around it and be in the good place I am mentally now, finally. 

Higgie Boo is very clingy to me, especially when he knows I am sad. Higgie Boo loves to sleep at my feet. Higgie Boo barks if someone is at the door whom he has never smelled before, but otherwise does not bark. 
Higgie Boo is such a loveable character. He is a nosy pooch who will pretend he is sleeping but his ears are pointed up to listen. He is SO nosy. 
Higgie Boo is a rescue that was malnourished and maltreated. I have been teaching him how to walk forward in a line, and how to be more comfortable around squirrels and dogs and he has made impeccable progress. 

Higgie started to lose weight faster earlier this winter, and also developed a weird-looking red, round blister-like structure on the right side of his mouth. The first vet said it should self-clear. Higgie would start to randomly cry out in a high-pitched pain sound more and more frequently so I took him to another vet. This vet did a biopsy during the appointment and sent it out, saying she thought it looked like cancer. She confirmed it was cancer, and that surgery is the best option to remove the entire tumor and adjacent areas that might be susceptible on his mouth. 

Higgie is a big dog so the cost for the meds and anesthesia is higher due to his weight. 
Your contribution will help me offset the unexpected expenses of his biopsy and allow me to schedule his surgery to remove the tumor.  

Higgie is my best friend, truly and I love him dearly and I am worried about being able to stay on top of my expenses now that I have been reduced to a TAship salary which is about $550 less a month than I was receiving as a GSR Phd Student through NASA. Since I had to start over in a new lab, this is just how it's going to go. I am currently working outside the TAship but I will likely loose that gig because I won't be able to drive to San Francisco during the week when classes go back in person.  So I am currently trying to save up money, but the thing I could have spent the money on came before I could save up. Even though I moved into a CHEAPER apartment this Feb., I am still in need of help. 

Thank you for your understanding and support. Any amount helps. Even 5$."