Hey all! Thank you so much for taking the time to visit our GoFundMe

Some of y'all may have already met Teddy— legal name: Theoden, King of Rohan - our brave, sweet boy. When we adopted him, we did so fully aware that he had neurological concerns. From the beginning, we committed to giving him the care and stability he deserves, which is why we intentionally built a savings “nest egg” in anticipation of future medical needs.

Many of you have seen Teddy’s signature silly trot and know that his movement has always been a little different. That is due to a neurological condition called syringomyelia, often associated with Chiari-like malformation (sometimes called COMS). In simple terms, this condition causes fluid-filled pockets to form within the spinal cord and brain, putting pressure on the nervous system.

Currently, Teddy lives a happy life with occasional chronic pain flare-ups, balance issues, a wobbly and unsteady gait, and difficulty turning to the left on his own. Some of you know that his pain is being managed with medication right now, and while that has helped, it’s not the whole answer.

As this condition progresses, dogs can also develop worsening pain, hypersensitivity, behavioral changes, neurological deficits and, in some cases, seizures. Our goal is to better understand what Teddy is dealing with and explore what more we can do to support his comfort, mobility, and quality of life.

To do that, Teddy needs to see a veterinary neurologist and undergo an MRI. In the United States, the cost of a neurology consult and MRI typically ranges from $5,000 to $8,000, and if surgery is recommended, total costs can reach $10,000–$15,000 or more.

The hopeful news is that we’ve found highly qualified veterinary neurologists and surgical teams in Mexico and Guatemala, where the same diagnostics and treatment can be done for approximately $3,000–$5,000.

While traveling internationally for veterinary care wasn’t something we initially imagined, it may be the most realistic and compassionate path forward for Teddy.

We had begun saving for emergencies like this, but last year we had to use that nest egg to care for our beloved Milly, who sadly passed away. While we would do that for her a thousand times over, it means we’re now starting from scratch for Teddy.

We love Teddy deeply. He is resilient, joyful, and exactly as strong as his namesake. Any support—whether through donations, sharing this page, or simply keeping him in your thoughts—means the world to us.

Thank you for helping us ensure that Teddy continues to thrive in his forever home with his four siblings and his very devoted pet parents.