Hi, my name is Jessica, and I’m reaching out with a very heavy heart. I’m asking for help to give my first fur baby, Stella, a fighting chance to heal.

Stella is almost 11 years old, an Australian Cattle Dog I rescued from West Virginia when she was just a few weeks old and I was only 20. She has been my constant companion through every chapter of my adult life—from moving across the country to California and back, to starting a family of my own. She truly is my soul dog.

Three years ago, Stella was diagnosed with diabetes. For her, it’s more like type 1—nothing I could have prevented and nothing we can reverse. For years now, she’s been on twice-daily insulin injections, and she’s been so strong, managing without many of the complications that often come with diabetes.

But on September 8th, everything changed. Stella likely suffered a seizure, and in the chaos, her housemate, Moose, instinctively attacked her. My husband, our 1-year-old, and I were outside working under our truck when it happened. When I walked back inside with my baby, I found blood covering the walls and floor. Stella, covered in wounds and blood, still limped toward me, wagging her tail through the pain—just wanting to be with me. Heck, she waits outside of the bathroom every single time I am in there just waiting to be reunited with me.

We rushed her an hour away to the emergency vet, where she stayed overnight. Her injuries were severe: multiple deep bite wounds, a drain placed in her neck, countless stitches, torn skin, and her ear torn in half. She was sent home on five medications, and I’ve been carrying her outside, spoon-feeding her, and holding her water so she can drink. The medications have made her so lethargic.

Because of her diabetes, her healing has been slow and complicated. Within days, necrotic tissue developed around her neck and an e.coli infection ensued. She’s already endured three surgeries for debridement and sutures, and she will need at least one more. Right now, we’re traveling daily to the emergency vet for bandage changes and rechecks.

I never imagined finding myself in this position, but the costs are becoming overwhelming. Between emergency visits, multiple surgeries, medications, and ongoing care, her vet bills have already climbed higher than I can manage alone. Stella is family to us—she’s been by my side through so much, and I owe it to her to fight for her recovery.

If you’re able, any donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward Stella’s medical bills and care. And if you can’t donate, sharing her story means the world to me.

Thank you for helping me give Stella the chance to keep fighting. She’s not just my dog—she’s my heart.