My dog Xander is a 17-year-old chihuahua who has been my loyal companion for nearly sixteen years. I adopted him from a shelter when he was just 18 months old, after he had spent over nine months waiting for a home. Xander has been with me through so many chapters of my life, and he truly is the best dog I could have ever hoped for.

Last January, Xander was hospitalized with stage 4 kidney disease. The prognosis was grim—at best, the vets thought he might have six months left. Through daily supportive care, special diets, hand feeding, and medications, Xander has defied the odds and made it almost a whole year. I am so grateful for this extra time, but his health is now rapidly declining. He’s losing weight, not drinking enough water, and has started vomiting regularly. My vet says his stubborn spirit is the only reason he’s still with me, but I know he won’t show me when he’s in pain. As kidney disease progresses, it can become extremely painful, causing ulcers, seizures, and disorientation. I can’t let Xander go through that.

I want to make sure Xander doesn’t suffer, but I don’t have enough money to cover the costs of euthanasia and cremation. My vet’s office has kindly offered to euthanize him for free, but I still need to pay for the cremation. As a substitute teacher, I recently had two weeks of unpaid time off, and I’m also in the process of moving due to circumstances beyond my control. I would love to give Xander a private cremation so I can keep his ashes and honor his memory, but even the cost of a communal cremation is out of reach right now. Any amount you can give will help me ensure Xander’s final days are peaceful and that I can honor the bond we’ve shared for so many years. Thank you for your kindness and support.