Please help us on behalf of our friend Ania,

As many of you may now know, Ania's beloved dog, best friend, and travel partner Libby, recently passed away due to severe injuries from a dog attack. If you have known Ania at all over the past 15 years, you would know that her and Libby were inseparable. Libby traveled alongside Ania everywhere they went and their love for each-other was unmatched.

When Ania and Libby left for a walk on Aug. 10th, they had no idea that their lives would change forever. As they were walking by a neighbor's yard, one of their dogs broke free from their fence and viciously attacked Libby. Ania rushed to pry her from the other dog's mouth and was bit in the hand during the struggle. She rushed Libby to the emergency vet and did everything in her power to fight for her life. Over the next few weeks, Libby had to visit the vet multiple times per week for new skin treatments, infections, bandage changes, and various tests. This meant spending A LOT of money on vet bills, maxing out all credit cards, and borrowing money from family. Something all of us would do to save our best friend.

Unfortunately, on Sept. 9th 2024, Libby's recovery took a turn for the worse, and Ania had to make the difficult decision to put her to rest. This was one of the hardest decisions Ania ever had to make.

The horrible truth about it all, is that although Libby is gone, the hefty medical bills still remain. Not only that, but Ania still has tests and procedures to complete on her own hand.

Our friend needs help right now and won't reach out on her own, but we cannot see her struggle like this any longer. She is buried in vet bills and debt (In total, she has already spent ~$10k in medical bills and anticipates having to spend more to help her hand heal properly), when all she should be responsible for at this moment is mourning her best friend. Ania is someone who literally dedicates her WHOLE LIFE to helping others. Her work within the music and art scene over the past 15 years has sent waves of inspiration and opportunity throughout the community. Because of her hard work, so many of us are able to shine bright and do what we love. She has helped SO many of us.. and now it's our turn to help her. If you are able to spare any kind of financial donation, please do. Let's ban together as a community to help our friend in need.

A letter from Ania to Libby:

"Dear Libby,

I used to have to scroll past posts like this. Seeing other people lose their dogs would make me think about losing you, which I just couldn't handle. But now it is my turn to give my final goodbye and I hope that people will read our story.

You were so much more than a pet. You have been my whole world, my travel partner, my best friend, and the only true love in my life. You helped me transition out of an unhealthy relationship and into living my wildest dreams. We toured together, hundreds of thousands of miles around the country, in a new city every day, from the kia soul to the RV. You came with me to my very first music festival in 2013 and have been to almost every event since. Whether we were in the streets painting murals or at a client's house, you filled my heart with so much love and joy so I could do my job.I couldn't have asked for a better sidekick. You were always such a good girl. I am forever grateful that you were literally by my side every day for 14 years.

On August 10th our lives changed forever. We woke up snuggling and then went for a walk in our neighborhood in St Petersburg. We passed a chain link fence with 3 dogs barking on the other side. One of the dogs was in heat and she went under the fence and grabbed you. I jumped in to pull you from her mouth and she bit my right hand. We got away and rushed to the emergency room where you survived an extensive surgery and skin graft.

We spent the next few weeks healing together. At first it was going well but the trauma caught up with you. I did everything I could while carrying this heavy burden of what happened to us on my own. I wanted to keep it all inside until I had good news that we were better and you were healed, but things got worse.

I don't regret trying every single thing I could to save you. Even though you were an older dog, you were healthy before this and you deserved a chance to live. It was just all too much. After a long month of fighting for your life, I knew you were ready to go. Saying goodbye was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.

Now my heart is broken in a million pieces. I am really struggling to accept that I won't hear you sing again, or get to wake up to your kisses. I already miss you so much but I know you would want me to be strong.

I just hope you know how loved you were by everyone that ever met you. You had the cutest little face and the sweetest heart. I love you so much Libby Lu and will cherish our time together for the rest of my life. I will look for your energy everywhere I go and I know you will be with me.

See you on the other side snuggle bunny.

Love,

mom"