Hi, my name is Marion and I'm a senior citizen over 70 years of age. I am also an Army Veteran who served during the Vietnam Era for a total of almost nine years. I bought a house a little over two years ago basically so that my daughters would always have a home and that they would never have to hear the words "sorry, no pets allowed" when looking for a place to rent. I currently have 3 dogs (one Chihuahua who will soon be twelve, one Chihuahua/Min Pin who will be eleven on 31 Oct and their son Blackie who will be 10 on 19 Nov). I also have three cats and two cockatiels. I live on a fixed income of Social Security and my Retirement from my employer of 25+ years and I now work at the same place per/diem minimum 2/days a month, more if I am able or can if transportation is provided by daughters.

Today the unthinkable happened. Blackie has been breathing funny for the past few days and laying on the floor most of the time which he never does . My one daughter mentioned last week that he has lost weight. My other daughter when asked also said the same thing. I've been trying to get them all to lose weight and avoiding snacks and only cooking them chicken breasts (shredded), frest carrots or green beans and cut up asst. small colored peppers. I noticed today that one of Blackies nostrils had swollen shut and the other one was almost the same. His breathing also sounded funny. Last night he didn't even eat his dinner which he always finishes and wants more. His nostrils really scared me the most so a day after a snow/ice storm my daughter and I took him to the emergency Vet Hospital.

They did blood work and 30 minutes later the Vet came back to the room with the results. You could just tell by her look something wasn't right. She then spoke the words, "Blackie is a very sick boy". Then she proceeded to say he had Diabetic Keto Acidosis (aka DKA) and that his blood sugar was 584. The norm for a dog/human is 80-120. He also has Pancreatitis, low potassium, UTI, Azotemia, Anemia, elevated Leukocytosis/ Neutrophils (White cell count), and electrolyte depletion. His treatment at the hospital last night was $1974.65. He was transferred this morning to our local Vet (by us) where is his at the moment where he must be under treatment for the next 5-7 days to get his numbers back to normal. I was told by the former Vet (at the hospital) this treatment can cost upward of $1000.00/day. When I pick him up at 6pm my Vet will tell me the daily cost which can vary depending on the meds for the day. He needs to be there everyday as previously mentioned from opening to closing for this and home for the over night with instructions given to me for what to do if needed. This is very very pricey and he does not have Pet Insurance and I am sure now he couldn't even qualify since this would be an underlying condition unfortunately. I've already spoken with my mortgage company about just paying the principal next month and they said they don't do that. If I can't pay it then I need to contact them after the next one is due and I pay it to make arrangements for the missed one.

My pets are family members, they are never abused in any way and all are given love only by me and my family. My cats are all rescues, all my pets are spayed and neutered and have regular vet checkups. I personally cook my dogs food so they don't need to eat processed food. The dogs have a beautiful yard when they go out for their business, the cats are and always will be indoor only pets. The dogs have Seresto Flea collars. As you can see, I take good care of my pets as I did my daughters as they grew up. They are family members to us all. I have never in my life needed help like I need it now. I've never asked for anything from anyone my entire life but this gives me no choice. Blackie under normal conditions could live to be twenty and Blackie being a diabetic with daily insulin injections can live another few years if controlled. I can't end his life so abruptly at ten when he is due more time. I'm not being greedy because I want him here with me, I'm doing it for him. He loves life like most all dogs do, he loves me and our family, he loves loves his biological mom and dad (mostly mom though), tolerates the cats and is very good natured and well behaved. This probably could have been detected before this if our local Vets did blood tests with annual physicals but they don't. I blame their protocol for this. In other words, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Blackie has never gone to the Vet for an illness so apparently they ASSUME they don't need to do blood work. At least it should be brought up as an option for the pet owner to decide upon. A lot of lives could be saved by this and not waiting until the end happens making the pet suffer for any amount of time.

Please, if you can find it in your heart to help no matter how small or large, it would be greatly appreciated especially by Blackie. He makes everyday enjoyable. If I'm gone for 5 minutes or twelve hours I get the same reaction from him when I walk in the door. It's almost like I've been gone for months apparently in his eyes. Thank you in advance and Bless You for taking the time to read this.

Marion Carter