Sometimes life isn’t fair. It’s a story we all know too well these days. Unfortunately for my family, when it rains, it pours.

To know what Sophie means to us, you should know a little bit about our story this year. Those who know me, know the last year has been incredibly difficult losing my soul dog Ellie, followed a few months later by our corgi Jemma (they were the best of friends) after a battle with a brain tumor, eye enucleation, paralysis, and seizures. During that time I also had our second baby and have started the process to adopt our two foster children, which has had quite a few ups and downs. Then, upon returning to work from maternity leave, I was laid off from my job of 8 years. Leaving us postpartum, sad, a little lost…but hopeful.

Through all of this, Sophie was a constant friend. I scroll through my photos of our baby’s first moments, our captured milestones, good times and hard times over the last several years, and she’s in thousands of them - because she’s always by our side. A lover of sunny spots, playing fetch, and riding around on our shoulder. Greeting you at the door when you get home and laying right next to my babies all night long. The moment we saw her, I knew she was special. She has that special spunk mixed with the empathy and companionship only the best animals have. She is so beautiful inside and out and the thought of her leaving us too just feels so unbelievably unbearable to everyone in our family.

This week, she was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. As most medical and vet treatment these days, fighting it is incredibly expensive. But as any pet lover knows, they’re worth it. We’ve been told she’s a good candidate for treatment and she’s a fighter. The right treatment could give her a couple years of good life left to lay in a sunny window, cuddle her kitty sister Ruby, get alllll the ear and booty scratches, and help me love on my babies. She’s only 8 and has so much more life in her. Asking for help is not easy. And times are hard for so many. But if you’re able, please help us have a little hope in this dark world. Help us to not give up on her yet. Thank you!