Earlier this month, during a workup of his nocturnal incontinence (diaper boy), I got the news that no one expected: Carter has cancer. Carter was diagnosed with a parathyroid tumor, which causes increased thirst, urination, lethargy, decreased appetite, and most lethally, hypercalcemia. If left untreated, this condition will cause kidney disfunction, and ultimately death. I am eternally grateful that this was caught early, and that there is a treatment. While this news has been shocking, Carter’s incredible care team has shared with me that this is very likely curable with a highly specialized surgical procedure called a parathyroidectomy (removal of the affected parathyroid glands). Like any surgery, this one undoubtedly comes at a cost. This treatment has been quoted as a tremendous expense due to the need for a board-certified specialty surgeon, and an overnight doggy ICU stay to monitor his calcium levels after surgery, as they are at risk of dropping too low post-op.

The funds raised here will be used to cover the cost of Carter's workup, the surgery, and his immediate recovery. Carter has been my reason to be for so many years. He has trotted alongside me through some of life's biggest challenges and changes over the past 7 years and is undoubtedly my favorite little baby guy. I could not imagine a life without him, and I am hopeful that with this surgery, he can continue on happier and healthier than ever.

I adopted Carter in 2018 despite by better judgment as a lost 20-something hoping he would be some form of emotional support. Little did I know, Carter was actually the one in need of exactly that. He was timid, unsocialized, and arguably had never felt love, or the scary woes of my slippery college linoleum floor, which was his arch nemesis for many months. Despite it all, Carter turned out to be perhaps not what I was looking for, but exactly what I needed. Most of you know the gift that a dog provides to your world: a buddy to see the sights with, a reason to get out of bed in the morning and reluctantly freeze your ass off during walks in the rain and cold, and without a doubt, your steadfast best friend. I am so fortunate to have grown alongside this stinky boy for so many years, and I am hopeful for many, many more.

I truly hope that all reading this consider contributing to this fund to help secure a bit of Carter’s future. I learned many years ago that raising a dog takes a village, and now more than ever I’m reaching out to mine to help once again craft his future in a different way. It would mean so much to receive donated funds for his care - truly anything helps!

Thank you and woof woof, awoooo!

<3 Carter Bean and Andi