Hi, my name is Nikolas, I'm a 27 year old assistant preschool teacher, and this is my ESA and my best friend, Honey.

Last week, one of her teeth fell out. What I hoped would be a reasonably priced fix at the vet is turning out to be a bill I can't afford to foot.

With her tooth falling out it was discovered that Honey has significant tooth decay, and when tooth loss begins, it is at a stage where it is irreversible. Without treatment, her condition is expected to continue worsening over time and could eventually lead to painful and potentially serious complications such as: more of her teeth rotting and falling out, dental abscesses, significant pain, and localized infection-- and at its worst, the bacteria can cause serious infections in the bones, heart, and other organs.

Unfortunately, things like this never happen when you have the means to cover it. When I spoke to the vet, they explained that Honey will need a dental procedure that may very well likely involve multiple tooth extractions. Because of her age, everything should ideally be done in a single procedure to avoid repeated anesthesia. The cost will be at least $1,000 for a cleaning alone, but because the extent of the damage can't be determined until she's under anesthesia, the final bill could be $3,000 or more. While she's stable now, this is a procedure that can't be avoided. Given the visible condition of her teeth, I need to prepare for the higher estimate.

This dog means the world to me.

My late father and I got Honey when I was 17 years old, after a suggestion from my therapist that I get an emotional support dog due to severe PTSD, anxiety, and major depressive disorder related to the passing of my mother, his leukemia treatments, and other traumatic events. When we met, she picked me, and jumped right into my arms to cover my face in kisses. That was the first time in a long time I felt hope. From the get go she has been ever loyal and adoring, a clown, a cuddlebug, and precious family.

With her, I no longer felt afraid to go outside; afraid of others-- instead I felt relief and love. Honey has been the reason I have gotten out of bed in the morning since I got her. She has been by my side through thick and thin: through my father's passing, losing my home, my own mental health crises resulting in hospitalization, an old friend's untimely death, my own physical illnesses, my brother's passing in 2024, my partner beating stomach cancer, and so on. She has been a beacon of love and hope to me, she is my rock and the center of my universe. No matter what happened, this dog has kept me steady and inspired me to keep on keeping on, even when I feel like I can't. If she can be so happy just being with me, then I'm happy as long as I'm with her.

The past couple of years have been especially hard physically, mentally, and financially. I've had to take significant time off of work due to mental health problems as well as my chronic illness that causes me to frequently get ill. As a result I miss so much work that I am only able to cover our basic living expenses at the moment, and wasn't able to save up for something like this.

This is money I simply can't pull together on my own, but for all my dog has done for me, I want to do as much for her. I want her to be able to live comfortably in her old age without preventable pain. It's breaking my heart knowing that I can't pull the money together for this procedure on my own.

Please help me help the dog that saved me.

If you can donate even just a little, it would mean the world to me, and if you can only share it still helps bring us one step closer to getting her what she needs.

Updates based on vet visits will be posted here.