My name is Tim and for the last 16 years I've had the honor and privilege of having the best friend/pet/companion a person could ask for, her name is Sushi. Around 8 years ago, I met my wife, Melissa. Melissa and Sushi quickly bonded and my wolfpup shaped shadow quickly became hers as well.
On March 15, 2026, the same date as Sushi's 16th birthday and the funeral service for Melissa's Mummum, Sushi told us it was time to end the suffering that she, Melissa, and I have been enduring since late November of 2025.
On November 29th 2025, Sushi came down with a pancreatitis infection. The combination of the medication, her age, and the infection itself led to losing nearly all mobility. Throughout December we were in her primary veterinarians office roughly 2 times a week, often on an emergency basis and the fees that come with it. Progress towards regaining mobility was slow and steady. In January, Sushi started physical therapy and showed instant and steady improvement that resulted in her regaining a walking pace she hadn't had in 2-3 years.
In mid February, she injured one of her rear legs in what turned out to be a ligament tear. This unfortunately caused a decline she did not return from. Additionally emergency vet visits due to pain and another infections left almost completely immobile and spelled the end.
From late November to late February, Melissa was Sushi's daily and constant caregiver. She was able to as she is a full time grad student and her program is online. However the emotional strain of watching a creature you love dearly decline was immeasurable. As the sole income of our family, i was not able to avoid having to work and help her more. In late February, Sushi's decline required me to take over as full-time caregiver and take time off work for weeks to do so.
The multiple vet bills, aid devices, changes to our home/cars/life, and medical issues we have faced ourselves have been emotionallly and financially devastating to say the absolute least. Now in addition to having to find a way to live in a world without the creature we oriented our whole life around for years, we also have to dig out of a financial hole as well.
We appreciate any help you can provide immensely while we are still grieving the greatest wolfpup to ever live.
