Yesterday was supposed to be a day of celebration. My sweet Lilly turned 8 years old. Instead of simply celebrating her birthday, I received news that no dog owner is ever prepared to hear: Lilly has been diagnosed with lymphoma.

If you know me, you know that helping dogs has always been part of who I am. For years, I have been one of the first people to step up when a Doberman or other dog was in need. I have donated, shared fundraisers, and done whatever I could to help save lives. I never imagined I would be the one asking for help.

The good news is that Lilly’s veterinarians believe her lymphoma is treatable. The difficult part is the cost. Her treatment is estimated to run between $200 and $450 per week for approximately four months.

To make matters even harder, I recently lost my job. At a time when I should be focused solely on getting Lilly through this fight, I am also facing the uncertainty of being without an income.

I have already spent everything I can to get Lilly the care she needs. My credit cards are maxed out from years of helping dogs in need and from Lilly’s veterinary care up to this point. I would do it all over again for her, but I have reached a point where I cannot carry this financial burden alone.

Lilly is not just a dog. She is my family, my best friend, and my constant companion. She has been there through good days and bad days, and I cannot imagine giving up on her when her veterinarians believe she still has a real chance at more time and a good quality of life.

As difficult as it is to ask, I am reaching out for help. Any donation, no matter how small, will go directly toward Lilly’s treatment and help give her the chance she deserves. If you cannot donate, sharing her story could help us reach someone who can.

I have spent years helping other people’s dogs when they needed someone to stand up for them. Today, I am humbly asking for help for mine.

Please help me fight for Lilly. Her 8th birthday should not be the beginning of the end. With treatment, we are hopeful it can be the start of many more birthdays to come.

Thank you for reading, sharing, donating, and keeping Lilly in your thoughts.

❤️ Michelle & Lilly