My dogs are my family, and they have carried me through some of the hardest moments of my life. Judah, my seven-year-old Cane Corso, is more than a pet. He is my protector, my companion, and quite literally the reason I am still here today. Judah saved my life by stepping between me and the man who shot me multiple times. While trying to protect me, Judah was shot in the head and shoulder. In the aftermath, veterinarians advised leaving the bullet fragments in place because removing them carried significant risks. At the time, it seemed like the safest option.

Over time, however, those fragments have begun to shift and surface. What was once considered manageable has become increasingly painful for Judah. The fragments embedded in his head have created swelling and discomfort around his eye, affecting his ability to comfortably move and track his eyes from side to side. As he has gotten older, it has become clear that these injuries are impacting his quality of life in ways that can no longer be ignored.

Judah is seven years old now. After everything he has endured, he deserves the chance to live the rest of his life free from the pain caused by the fragments he still carries from that night. He spent his life protecting me. Now it is my turn to do everything I can to help him.

The truth is that our story did not end the night of the shooting. I was in what I believed was a loving relationship with someone I trusted completely. We were only days away from getting married when he betrayed that trust and nearly took both my life and Judah’s. The justice system provided no restitution, leaving me to rebuild my life while carrying the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of that violence.

As a result of my injuries, I live with permanent nerve damage and partial paralysis in my right leg. Everyday tasks are more difficult than they once were, and maintaining financial stability has been an ongoing challenge. I am doing everything I can to move forward, but I am navigating this journey in a city where I have very little support and no family nearby to lean on.

Asking for help is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Today, I am asking for support so Judah can receive the specialized veterinary care he needs to address the bullet fragments that continue to cause him pain. He is a hero who risked his life to save mine, and he deserves to be treated like one.

Every donation, share, and kind word helps. Your support will go directly toward Judah’s medical care and the expenses that allow us to remain safe and stable while we continue healing together.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading our story, sharing our fundraiser, and helping my hero get the care he deserves.

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