My little dog Diva, a three-year-old Yorkie-Pomeranian-Maltese mix, was recently attacked by a much larger dog. She weighs just 9 pounds, and the injuries she suffered have been devastating. Diva has a hole in her trachea that’s causing air to leak under her skin, and she’s been in and out of the vet’s office for emergency care. After an overnight hospitalization and a brief period at home, her condition worsened, and now she’s back at the vet on pain medication and heavy antibiotics. The doctors say she’ll need surgery to repair the damage and give her a chance to recover.

Diva has always lived up to her name—she’s a true little diva, full of personality and energy, and her yappy bark is just part of her charm. She’s been my constant companion, and seeing her so lethargic and in pain has been heartbreaking. The costs for her care are mounting quickly, and I’m already facing over a thousand dollars in medical bills, with surgery and follow-up care likely to add several thousand more. I’ll need to set up a payment plan and take on more debt just to keep up with her treatments.

This experience has taken a toll on both of us. I’ve spent countless nights by her side, checking her breathing and making sure she’s comfortable. I’ve had to take time off work and fallen behind on my school assignments, all while recovering from a broken foot myself. Diva means the world to me, and I’m doing everything I can to help her heal. Any support will go directly toward her medical bills, surgery, and recovery, and will make a huge difference in getting her back to her happy, energetic self.