Hi, my name is Vanessa. The past two weeks have shaken me to my core — fear, grief, and faith all colliding at once — yet God carried us through every moment.

We rescued our puppy Dunkin from a place no baby should ever live. The moment I saw his little white feet and tail, my heart whispered, “Go get him.” Maybe it was God. Maybe it was my mom. Maybe both.

Then, on Thanksgiving, everything fell apart.

He started vomiting, burning hot, and so weak. TC grabbed the keys while I sobbed the whole hour-long drive to the ER. When they confirmed parvo, my chest sank the same way it did when I lost my mom — that deep, trembling plea: “God, please don’t take someone else I love.”

The bills were overwhelming, yet God kept opening doors. Another vet took him in for a week, and he survived.

Yara got sick too, and we fought hard for her as well, praying every moment that parvo would never touch her.

At home, we had to throw away bedding, towels, clothes, curtains, dog beds — everything he touched — and bleach our entire house, car, garage, and porch. Exhausting, scary, expensive — but love always shows up, even when fear is loud.

Through it all, TC held me when I was breaking.

God also surrounded us with people who prayed, comforted us, and let me grieve — coworkers, family, and friends who never made me feel “too much.” I am endlessly grateful for every prayer, every message, every hand that helped — especially Maddie & Elijah, who helped bleach the house while I just cried & spiraled wanting my Mom.

Both dogs are alive.

They are healing.

And we are slowly, shakily, breathing again.

I’m not good at asking for help — especially without my mom here to guide me — but God sometimes sends help through the hands of others.

We are hoping to raise $3,000 to cover:

• Dunkin’s emergency parvo care & vet visits

• Yara’s vet visit

• Replacing bedding, dog toys, and other supplies we had to throw out

• Cleaning and sanitizing costs

Any help — even sharing this — makes a huge difference.

Thank you for praying, for caring, and for helping us heal. We are deeply grateful and blessed by every one of you.❤️