Help Riley Overcome Her Painful Condition

Hello there!

I’m reaching out with a heavy heart to ask for help saving my sweet dog, Riley.

We brought Riley home as a puppy a few years ago. She’s a 4-year-old Shiba Inu with the softest fur and the gentlest soul. She used to run around the yard, dig up treasures, and play ball with endless energy. She’s always been such a happy and loving dog.

But over time, things started to change. Riley began scratching constantly. The vet prescribed Apoquel, monthly allergy shots and gabapentin for anxiety which helped at first—but only briefly. We returned to the vet and were told it might be a hormonal issue, so they recommended spaying her. I saved up for months, and when she finally got her surgery, things took a turn for the worse.

After the procedure, Riley became more uncomfortable than ever. She was scratching and licking herself raw, losing large clumps of fur with every bath. We tried everything—special shampoos, vitamins, prescription food, and allergy meds—but nothing worked. I started making my own food for her and eliminated ingredients from her diet, hoping to find a trigger, but her condition just kept worsening.

We went back to the vet and were told she now needs a full workup: a blood panel, allergy testing, a skin biopsy, and stool tests. Altogether, it’s going to cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, I recently had my second baby and simply can’t afford it right now. But I don’t want to give up on her. Riley is family. She’s in pain, constantly itching and bleeding, and her once beautiful coat is nearly gone. Yet through it all, she stays by my side.

She’s loyal and protective—especially with my children. Once, a stranger walked into our gated backyard while my son was outside playing. Riley immediately stepped between them and scared the man off. Despite her illness, she’s still fiercely protective, yet always gentle with the kids. She’s not just a pet—she’s our guardian, our comfort, and our best friend.

That’s why I’m asking for your help. I’m trying to raise enough to get Riley the medical care she desperately needs. Any donations would go directly to her tests, treatments, and recovery. I’ll share updates along the way so you can see how she’s doing.

If you’re able to give, thank you from the bottom of my heart. And even if you can’t, thank you for taking the time to read her story and if you can; please share this. Riley is a good dog, and she deserves a chance to feel good again.

With gratitude,

Olga & Riley.