This is our sweet princess, Piper. She came to live with us permanently almost four years ago, after my Dad’s unexpected passing. Over these few short years, she has been a huge source of comfort and love in our lives.

A few days ago, Piper started struggling. First she missed a step on the stairs. Next we knew, she was missing jumps she normally made with ease and stumbling when trying to move around. We thought it might be related to an old injury, but things quickly got worse. Yesterday she could barely stand, and today she refused to walk, eat, or drink.

Yesterday at the vet they thought it was arthritis (and we started treatment for that) but overnight she got worse. After further exams today, they are now concerned that something neurological is going on.

Piper is showing signs of muscle weakness, which means she is losing awareness and control of her legs. Right now she is on a steroid to try and help, but a real help/the next step is a Tensilon test, a diagnostic test often used to check for myasthenia gravis (a serious but treatable neuromuscular disease), as well as referral to a specialist to fully understand what is happening. Without this, we cannot get answers or give her a real chance.

We have already spent over $1,100 in the last two days for testing, medication, X-rays, and treatment. Unfortunately, with my husband Josh being active duty military he is currently unpaid due to the government shutdown. We do not have the resources to cover the cost of further testing and specialist care.

Piper means everything to us. She has been with me through every hardship since losing my Dad, and she has become a constant source of love for our entire family. My husband, our two children, and I cannot imagine our home without her.

If we cannot get her the care she needs, our only remaining option will be to help her pass peacefully at home, a decision we are devastated to even consider.

If you are able to donate, even a small amount, it would go directly toward her testing and specialist visits to hopefully give her more time with us. If you cannot donate, sharing this means just as much.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for reading and for caring about Piper.