If you know me, you probably know Mateo. And if you know how much I love this dog, you know how hard it is for me to even write this.

I adopted Mateo from a local animal shelter here in Philadelphia during one of the darkest periods of my life.

At the time, I was living alone and struggling with severe depression. I was having a hard time being present for myself, and then Mateo came into my life.

Suddenly, there was this little dog who needed me.

He needed to eat. He needed walks. He needed attention. He needed me to get up every day and take care of him, even on the days when taking care of myself felt impossible.

Little by little, while I was taking care of Mateo, I started coming back to myself too.

I have always said that, in his own way, Mateo saved my life.

Now I’m trying to save his.

Mateo was recently seriously injured during a dog attack. The other dog grabbed him around his neck, and when I saw what was happening, I didn’t have time to think. I just reacted.

I jumped in, grabbed onto the dog, and held on until I was able to get Mateo free.

Those few seconds are something I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

We rushed him to the hospital, and thankfully the injuries around his neck appear to be superficial. But during the attack, Mateo’s jaw was broken.

He is currently hospitalized at Penn Vet in Philadelphia, where he needs surgery and continued care before I can bring him home.

Seeing him in the hospital has been incredibly hard. I’m grateful beyond words that he survived, but I’m still scared, and now I’m facing the reality of how expensive his emergency treatment is going to be.

I am currently setting the fundraising goal at $10,000 to help cover Mateo’s emergency hospitalization, surgery, anesthesia, diagnostic imaging and testing, medications, and follow-up care during his recovery.

I am still waiting for Penn Vet to provide the final surgical estimate, so I will update this fundraiser as soon as I have the exact numbers and documentation.

If the final cost ends up being less, I will update everyone. If additional treatment is needed during his recovery, I will be transparent about that too.

I hate asking for help. I really, really do.

But this is one of those moments where my pride has to come second to Mateo.

I don’t have the financial ability to cover an emergency veterinary bill of this size on my own, and I just want to make sure money isn’t the reason he can’t get the care he needs.

If you’re able to donate anything, even a few dollars, I would be incredibly grateful.

And if you aren’t able to donate, sharing this fundraiser is just as valuable, especially with other dog lovers and animal lovers who might understand what it feels like when your pet isn’t “just a pet.”

Mateo is family.

I’ll continue posting updates from the hospital, information about his surgery, his recovery, and the medical bills as I receive them.

Years ago, Mateo came into my life during a time when I desperately needed something to keep me connected to the world.

He gave me a reason to get up.

A reason to be present.

A reason to keep going.

And when I saw him in danger, there was no question in my mind that I was going to do everything I possibly could to protect him.

He saved me then.

Now I’m just trying to get my little guy through surgery and bring him home.

Thank you for donating, sharing, praying for him, checking on us, or simply keeping Mateo in your thoughts.

It means more to me than I can explain.

Qamar & Mateo ❤️