I almost lost my dog—and my last connection to my dad. My name is Jennifer, and I’m raising funds for my 7-year-old Shih Tzu, Buddy. Buddy isn’t just my dog—he’s family. I got him from my dad when Buddy was just 2 years old, shortly before my dad passed away after a long battle with dementia. Buddy has been my comfort, my joy, and a living piece of my dad ever since.
Until recently, Buddy was a happy, healthy dog. On January 4, 2026, I rushed him to the emergency room struggling to breathe. He was diagnosed with pleural effusion, and 300 mL of fluid had to be drained from his chest to save his life. Just weeks later, after being cleared, Buddy returned to the ER and had another 550 mL drained. Despite extensive testing—including a CT scan, electrocardiogram, labs, fluid analysis, and X-rays—everything has come back normal. We’re now searching for the unobvious cause, hoping for answers and a cure.
We’ve maxed out our pet insurance, and the ongoing emergency care and testing are overwhelming. Still, Buddy is fighting—and so am I. With the right diagnosis, Buddy has a real chance at recovery. As anyone would for one of their children, I’m not ready to give up. Every donation goes directly toward Buddy’s continued care and treatment. If you can donate, share, or keep Buddy in your thoughts, it truly means the world. Thank you for helping me keep him breathing—and by my side.
Until recently, Buddy was a happy, healthy dog. On January 4, 2026, I rushed him to the emergency room struggling to breathe. He was diagnosed with pleural effusion, and 300 mL of fluid had to be drained from his chest to save his life. Just weeks later, after being cleared, Buddy returned to the ER and had another 550 mL drained. Despite extensive testing—including a CT scan, electrocardiogram, labs, fluid analysis, and X-rays—everything has come back normal. We’re now searching for the unobvious cause, hoping for answers and a cure.
We’ve maxed out our pet insurance, and the ongoing emergency care and testing are overwhelming. Still, Buddy is fighting—and so am I. With the right diagnosis, Buddy has a real chance at recovery. As anyone would for one of their children, I’m not ready to give up. Every donation goes directly toward Buddy’s continued care and treatment. If you can donate, share, or keep Buddy in your thoughts, it truly means the world. Thank you for helping me keep him breathing—and by my side.