For those who know Bear, you know him as one of our babies (I’m obsessed with our pups and consider them my children) and Bruno’s best friend. He’s been by our side since he was a puppy, and anyone who knows us knows Bear is not just a dog — he’s a son to us. For those who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting him, Bear is our 8-year-old Pomeranian with a feisty spirit, endless energy, and a whole lot of love to give. Small in size but big in attitude, he’s the kind of pup who leaves a lasting impression on everyone he meets.

Sadly, this year has not been kind to him. He started the year with Intervertebral Disc Disease, a condition that left him confined to a crate for 12 weeks to ensure he didn’t become paralyzed. He’s a fighter and made it through that — but right now, we’re facing the hardest battle yet.

On Friday, 6/20, we came home to find blood in Bear’s crate, and upon closer inspection, we saw blood in his mouth. We contacted the vet, who advised us to monitor him. By Saturday, 6/21, the bleeding hadn’t stopped, so we scheduled the earliest appointment we could. On Sunday, 6/22, we took Bear to the vet, as the bleeding had worsened significantly. Initially, we thought it might be a dental issue or gum disease, but we were heartbroken to learn it was something much more serious and deadly. The vet diagnosed Bear with an aggressive blood and autoimmune disease called Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia (IMT).

IMT is a rare condition in which a dog’s own immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys its blood platelets — the cells responsible for clotting. Without platelets, even minor bumps, bruises, or internal bleeding can become fatal. We learned that IMT is treatable, with a 60–90% success rate, but dogs often require hospitalization, emergency medications, blood transfusions, and round-the-clock monitoring to survive. In Bear’s case, he was diagnosed with critical-stage IMT — with zero detectable platelets and signs of active bleeding. Thanks to emergency care, Bear has received IVIG therapy and supportive treatment, and he’s fighting bravely to recover — but he still faces a long and fragile road ahead.

We have already spent ~$13,500 ($500 at the vet, $2,400 at the emergency vet, and $10,500 at the ICU/animal hospital) on Bear’s treatments over the past 96 hours, but his hospitalization continues and the medical bills keep rising. With an estimated 4-5 more days in the hospital, his total stay is estimated to cost at least $16,000+. We spoke with the internal medicine team at the hospital and they said most dogs recover from this disease, but we just need to buy him more time to recover.

Your donation will go directly to Bear’s hospital care, chemo treatment, blood transfusions, and life-saving medications. Every dollar helps keep Bear stable, monitored, and treated while we fight for his recovery. Anything you can give to help us support Bear is greatly appreciated! We understand that money is tight for a lot of people right now, so we ask if you can’t donate, please at least share this GoFundMe so Bear can have the best chance possible.

Thank you for reading Bear’s story. Your support means the world to us — whether it’s a donation, a share, or a kind word of encouragement. We’re holding onto hope, and with your help, Bear will keep fighting. Please, please, please keep our little man in your thoughts and prayers!