Help Save Maverick: Our 3 Year Old Golden Retriever Fighting for His Life
Hi, my name is Charlie, and Maverick is my 3 year old golden retriever. My best friend, my heart, and the light of so many people’s lives.
About a week and a half ago, Maverick started struggling to walk. At first, we were told it might be something orthopedic like a torn ACL. But within days, he declined rapidly. He stopped eating, couldn’t hold himself up, and eventually couldn’t even lift his head. We rushed him to the emergency hospital where we learned this wasn’t orthopedic, it was neurological.
After an MRI and spinal tap, Maverick was diagnosed with a rare and very severe case of autoimmune meningitis. Spinal fluid was building up in his brain with no way to properly drain, affecting the vestibular system and the nerves responsible for balance, coordination, and even the nerves that protect his airways.
Because those protective airway nerves stopped functioning properly, food, water, and even mucus from his pneumonia were going into his lungs instead of being swallowed safely. This led to severe pneumonia on top of the neurological crisis. He has stopped breathing, required oxygen support, and undergone multiple emergency procedures to relieve pressure in his brain. Twice, we were warned he might not wake up from anesthesia.
And twice, our boy woke up.
After speaking with his veterinary team today, we know Maverick is not in an ideal situation and he obviously does not feel good. But he is not suffering, and even though the chances may be slim, he has a real possibility of recovering. If at any point we believed he was suffering without hope, we would absolutely make the selfless decision to let him go. We love him too much to allow that. But right now there is still hope, and we are not ready to give up on him.
Because his case is so advanced, medication alone is no longer enough. Maverick now needs brain surgery to place a permanent shunt that will drain the excess spinal fluid from his brain. His condition has progressed too far to rely on infusion therapy alone. This shunt would permanently regulate the fluid and give him a true chance at recovery and quality of life.
We really did not want to have to ask for money, but we have reached a crossroads and run out of options. I have spent every ounce of my savings, maxed out all of my credit cards, taken out a loan, and received help from my family. This has been more money than we could have ever possibly imagined, but we would do absolutely anything for our boy. That is why we have pushed this far.
Maverick needs this brain surgery, and the funds raised here will go directly toward making that possible. I just don’t have any more money left to put down toward the surgery he now urgently needs. We’ve reached the point where I physically cannot do this alone anymore, and this procedure is the one thing that could save his life. All prior emergency care, ICU stays, MRIs, procedures, oxygen support, surgeries, hospitalization expenses, etc. have already been covered by me.
I fully intend to take care of the financial obligations I’ve taken on. Right now, we simply need help giving him access to the one procedure that could save his life.
Maverick is only three years old. He deserves the chance to live the rest of his life happy, healthy, and running the way he used to. He deserves to celebrate his 4th birthday in just a few months, and many more after that.
If you are able to give, even just a few dollars, it truly makes a difference. Every single contribution brings us closer to giving Maverick the surgery he needs.
If you are not able to donate, we completely understand. Please just keep him in your thoughts and prayers. The love and support we have felt has carried us through the hardest and darkest days of our lives.
We are holding onto hope. We are not giving up yet.
Thank you for loving our boy.
-Charlie