Hello to my family, friends, and kind strangers—

My heart is breaking as I’m writing to you with humility to ask for help covering the overwhelming cost of trying to save my sweet Sunny’s life after a sudden, life-threatening emergency.

If you know Sunny, you know how much he is loved—especially by his mama. He’s my everything, my shadow, my comfort. So when he started acting “off” one evening—lethargic, refusing food, and with a swollen, tight abdomen—I rushed him to the ER.

There, he was diagnosed with Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), a deadly condition where the stomach fills with gas, twists, and cuts off blood flow to vital organs. In large, deep-chested dogs like Sunny, GDV can be fatal in just hours without surgery. It causes excruciating pain, shock, and certain death if not treated immediately.

Sunny needed urgent stabilization, anesthesia, and emergency surgery to survive -- and I had to pay an $8,500 deposit in order for them to begin treating him. There was no hesitation; without surgery, he would not have made it through the night.

His surgery was successful, but there were complications. His spleen had to be removed after his stomach was untwisted. He developed dangerous heart arrhythmias, an elevated heart rate, and low blood pressure, requiring intensive post-op monitoring.

An extra night in the hospital added another $2,000.

Thanks to quick action and excellent veterinary care, Sunny is now home resting in his big comfy bed —but the total bill is just over $12,000.

Sunny Valentine was born on February 14 and came into my life at 8 weeks old. For the past 7 years, he’s been my constant companion and my greatest source of joy. He was a true mama’s boy with a heart as big as his satellite ears. He read my emotions like a book, protected his people, and had more personality than most humans. He would always smile, tilt his head in the most charming way while listening so intently, and would talk back when he felt like it. He loved chasing his tail, and had one very clear boundary: absolutely no touching his butt. He was such a special dog, a gentle giant, my baby boy .. the best boy.

Every donation—big or small - will help me get back my feet; though Sunny's years of smiles, head tilts, and snuggles are in the past. From the bottom of my broken heart, thank you for reading, for sharing, and for caring. For me & for my Sunny boy.

All donations will go directly to my credit card bill, which has continued to climb, as the cost of his cremation has recently been added.

thank you,

Chelsea