We are not people who typically ask for help, and starting this page has been one of the hardest things we've had to do. But we are humbled to share Minnie's story and, if you're able to, ask for your support. On Saturday, May 30th, our family welcomed an 8-week-old Maltipoo who we named Minnie into our home. For years, our daughter Bella had dreamed of having her very own dog. A companion to love, care for, and call her own. Miguel and I finally said yes and watching her become a dog mom for the very first time was one of the most beautiful things we've ever witnessed. She was a natural from day one. Keeping Minnie's food and water fresh, cleaning her pee pads religiously, and pouring 24 hours of love and attention into that tiny, perfect little girl. She was over the moon, and so were we.

The following Saturday, just one week later, we found ourselves rushing to the VCA Animal Specialty Group in Glendale at 1 in the morning. Minnie had been vomiting, had diarrhea, and was eating less with each passing day. Her regular vet appointment was only hours away, but something didn't feel right, and we didn't hesitate for a second. The three of us got in the car and went. The doctors discovered her blood sugar levels were dangerously low and admitted her immediately. They moved fast. Ruling out Parvo, starting IV fluids and Dextrose, administering anti-nausea medication and two dewormers while awaiting fecal results. From Saturday through Tuesday, Minnie fought hard. On Sunday night, we braced ourselves for the worst. Then, on Monday morning, we got the news that felt like a miracle. She was eating on her own. She was getting better. We were so hopeful.

But the night did not go as we prayed it would. Her blood sugar dropped again, getting as low as the 30s, which is dangerously low when anything under 80 is considered critical. The vomiting had stopped, but she stopped eating on her own and the diarrhea continued. Her little body was not consistently producing glucose on its own, and the doctors had to reintroduce the Dextrose. On Tuesday morning, we had the hardest conversation a family can have. The doctor told us that if there was no improvement by 1 p.m., we would need to discuss the possibility that something deeper was wrong. Conditions no amount of love or medicine could have fixed. We, along with our sons and our daughter's best friend, came together to be by Minnie's side when we received the news we had prayed we would never hear. Despite everything the doctors did, despite everything she fought through, and despite all the love we surrounded her with, we could not save her. Our baby Minnie was gone.

It all happened so suddenly that we never had the chance to get pet insurance. We knew vet care would be a cost, but nothing could have prepared us for losing her this way or this fast. Even so, we never questioned whether to try. If there was any chance to save our daughter's baby girl, we were going to take it. If you are able to contribute, even a small amount, our family would be forever grateful. Every act of kindness means more than we can express, and sharing this page is a gift in itself. Thank you for taking the time to read Minnie's story. She was only with us for ten days, but she was so deeply loved.