My name is Liz, I am the mom of a teenage son and two wonderful dogs (Flynn and Fennec). I am here to ask for your help.

 For the past several years, my son and I have faced one traumatic situation after another— debilitating and at times life-threatening health issues, hospitalizations, surgeries, unexpected emergencies, and being the victims of multiple violent crimes. One particular circumstance was so egregious that I had to deactivate social media last year to avoid the barrage of viral news stories and true crime coverage about what happened to us. I don’t want to give more details because I don’t want to violate my son’s privacy and retraumatize him further. But trust me when I say, the events of recent years have been so intense that they would require a trigger warning, and would sound almost unbelievable when stacked on top of one another. 

 Despite working three jobs (sometimes four), I’ve been unable to dig us out of this financial hole. I am now facing the terrifying reality of eviction. 

 I don’t have any close family to lean on, or a safety net of any kind, and the weight of trying to keep us afloat by myself has been crushing me. I feel a constant suffocating fear and anxiety, knowing that I am doing everything I can, and that it’s just not enough. Even though I have managed to bring in just enough money to cover current bills, the payments that I have fallen behind on are an ever-present companion. My landlords have been more patient than most, but have reached the limits of their ability to be accommodating. All I want to be able to do is send them everything I owe them. I want to stop waking up with the dread of knowing that soon, if nothing changes, we will lose everything.

 In the midst of the events that have befallen my son and me, our dogs have been our constant source of comfort. They are truly our entire world. Sadly, because of everything that’s happened, they have also missed out on things that they deserve, such as regular veterinary care. Fennec has to take an expensive daily medication, and now Flynn has been showing very concerning symptoms that I cannot put off getting checked out. Just taking him to get examined/biopsies/tests is going to total around $500. That is not counting any potential need for further medical intervention. I would do anything for these dogs, and it feels so awful to be helpless to do more. They are the reason that my son and I keep going each day, no matter how hard it gets. They need and deserve to be healthy and safe.

 If you’re able to help, your support would mean the world to us. Any funds donated will go directly to our housing and essential vet care for our beloved dogs. 

If you cannot afford to contribute monetarily, sharing our story with your networks can help, and show us that we are not alone. 

 Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and for caring.