Hi, my name is Melissa and my fur baby Khaleesi (Callie) has been right by my side when I've needed her most and now, it's her turn to need me. She is the best doggo who makes every non-dog lover end up wanting one just like her! She gives the best cuddles, loves to snooze in the sun, and will be your best friend if you offer her anything edible.

In 2016, I was going through arguably the worst time of my life and ended up hospitalized. I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel and Callie saved me - and it wasn't the last time either; she continued to save me throughout my 20s. Everybody who knows me, knows my little white fur ball. She's come with me everywhere - Waterloo, Toronto, Montreal, Kingston just to name a few places. She's made cameos in my real estate videos, to my hair appointments, and even first dates. Not only has she been my support the last 9 years, she's also turned into my mom's confidante. When I moved home from university, my mom & Callie developed a bond so special, sometimes I'm convinced she loves her more than me!

Last Friday, at 14:57 on the 28th, Callie collapsed. I had just gotten home at 14:45 and was in the kitchen when I heard her shriek as if she was getting attacked by coyotes. I had never heard anything like it before and I was terrified. I ran into the room to find her lying on her side, convulsing and yelping. I tried to touch her and she screamed again. She had defecated twice and her heart rate was so slow, I thought I was losing her.

We rushed her to the nearest animal hospital where they discovered that she had heart disease (something that had gone undetected until now) and she collapsed due to a tear in her left atrium resulting in a lot of fluid build-up in her pericardium and she was in cardiac tamponade. It was extremely touch & go, but Callie ended up becoming stable over the course of a 4 day hospitalization. She was tachycardic at over 200 bpm. Thanks to an emergency echocardiogram, her cardiologist was able to further understand what exactly happened and how to better address it. It was a miracle that she managed to pull through as it was discovered that it wasn't just a tear in her left atrium, but that it was an atrial rupture. We are so grateful that the hospital was able to stabilize her; however, the 4 days resulted in a hospital bill of close to $7K.

Callie came back home on Monday, December 1st and continued to have issues breathing. We brought her back into the ER on Wednesday because her breathing was laboured and we were worried about her again. Her cardiologist found what seems to be a hematoma on her heart; something that neither her nor her colleague had ever seen before.

Heart disease cannot be treated, it can only be managed. Callie is on multiple medications to help manage her heart disease and needs to be monitored regularly (regular echocardiograms to make sure that her heart is still functioning properly and lower the risks for another major cardiac event). With proper management, Callie has the potential to live another year (hopefully more!) comfortably. She has had the toughest year having contracted Lyme disease from being bitten by a tick, getting White Dog Shaker Syndrome, and now discovering her heart disease.

I'm raising funds to help cover her hospital stay that ultimately saved her life. Any excess funds over and above what her hospital stay cost, will go towards the cost of her (currently weekly) echocardiograms and heart medications. She is a fighter - instead of letting the rupture take her, she pulled through; she is now slowly recovering and is still loving to go out and eat the snow, she still loves her carrots, and she is still giving cuddles (I was crying the other day for her and she had no idea why I was crying, she just wanted to comfort me). Although needing more rest than usual, I can tell that she is trying really hard to get back to her normal self.

Every single penny of your contribution will go towards Callie's medical bills. We appreciate all your love and support, and thank everyone for whatever they can do to help. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts <3

From Mel, Callie & the family (: