Meet our puppy, Mighty Ava.

My husband and I adopted her at 3 months old last May 2024.

Ava is my adorable therapy puppy. At 14 months old, she is sweet and perfect in every way. She is truly the best dog I have ever known. Incredibly smart, intuitive, gentle yet protective, oh so silly and a source of much needed comfort and strength. She has experienced tremendous life challenges. Born with a malformed hind limb & rescued from the streets of Rosarito México, no one else had adopted her from the litter of 8 due to this special need, but it was this exact healing connection my husband & I needed in our life.

I too have an extremely rare, complex medical situation with multiple sclerosis, a rare primary immune deficiency, and a chronic shingles infection that has lead to 5 hospitalizations in the past 4 years, more than 20 ER crises, countless IV treatments, Dr. appointments & debilitating pain. As you may imagine, medical bills and special medical equipment, medicines and related costs have depleted my savings account.

December 2024 knocked us over completely. Ava (10 months old at the time) had stopped eating and playing, was constantly licking her belly, shaking with ears back and the few days before the crisis could not pass any poop during potty time. We knew there must be a blockage. We rushed her to the vet center that day, which revealed an enlarged fluid filled sac obstructing her other organs including the intestines. The doctor immediately called emergency vet hospitals in the area and sent us to the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of Sorrento Valley. The ultrasound further revealed this mysterious mass was actually her right kidney!!!

Dr. Kraska performed her surgery the next day. She called that night to share that this was an 8 inch infected kidney, and we brought her just in time to save her life. With an incision scar from her rib cage to lower pelvic area, Ava is a warrior, growing stronger every day. All in, the x-rays, CT scan, ultrasound, exam, surgery with hospitalization, and post hospital care has cost us ~ $15,000. This had come just a month after I was hospitalized & on IV antibiotic therapy for 6 weeks. We are completely overwhelmed financially, physically and emotionally after years of non-stop medical crises with myself and now our precious Ava. We are beyond grateful for any contribution you can make, no matter how small! Thank you for your kindness and support