Today, July 10th is my birthday, and for my birthday I am starting this fundraiser for my dearest Juliette. In lieu of any gifts , please consider donating. It would mean so much to us!
Who is Juliette? Other than my computer passwords.....
The first day I met Juliette we took a walk around West Berkeley. I had no intention of adopting a dog that day, although I had wanted a furball for years and had spent some months meeting dogs at shelters. As we continued to walk, taking more and more time together, I sat down on the curb next to her. I talked to her, asked her a few questions, then she reached her paw out for my hand. We held paw-hand for several minutes. Like any self-respecting animal-loving human I found it incredibly sweet and endearing. Even then, we shared a language. When we went back to the shelter I spent some time speaking to the shelter folks about her. We went into a quiet room and again, she came near me and we held paw-hand as we talked. After a while, she fell asleep on my feet. I loved how snuggly and mellow she was. I wanted a dog child that would be content dreaming next to me as I wrote my dissertation.
She did not disappoint. Many of you know her as a lazy round piggy, sausage, and generally teardrop shaped animal. She is just the perfect amount of sweet and independent with a dash of zoomies and goofiness. As our housemate and Auntie Sarah once said, her favorite activities include taking a nap in the sun, and going for long walks so she gets real tired for another nap in the sun.
Those of you who know me know how much I love her and how much she means to me. She's my homie and my ride or die. We have a full on relationship. After years of training together (her other favorite activity) we can communicate. Read each other's minds. Be defiant. Be annoyed. And share a whole lot of love, affection, deep trust and understanding.
Juliette's Health
Recently, I discovered that Juliette has a liver problem. We don't know what it is yet, but more than one blood test has shown her liver enzymes are high. This has been going on for months and lately there has been blood in places it should not be. While she is perfectly happy and content in life, we are at a point where we need to diagnose what is going on in order for to understand her needs and what care she needs going forward.
We only discovered this problem as she was getting ready to have her much anticipated eyemole removal surgery. This is how we got connected to the incredible people at the East Bay SPCA as part of their Humane Advocacy Program. They have helped me to afford the surgery to get this mole which will not stop growing finally off of her eye. But they have also supported me constantly checking in, talking through each disappointing blood test result, and assuring me that I am not alone even in times of stress and decision-making on what is best for the sausage lump
What we are raising money for
Given my graduate student financial situation, I am writing this in the hopes that you may support me in the medical cost for diagnosis of this liver ailment. $1,400 is what I need for an abdominal ultrasound and coagulation profile that will allow biopsy of any liver masses detected. But I am requesting $3,000 to support me in her initial treatment costs. So far, we believe the prognosis for Juliette is good. We are taking things one step at a time.
East Bay SPCA has an incredible veterinary clinic. These are talented and deeply caring staff, vet techs, and veterinarians. Juliette is a favorite among them. She is the only dog I know of that LOVES vet--the land of spray cheese and butt scratches. All of them are cheering for us too, keeping us updated, detailed, exploring our options creatively, and rooting for Juliette in her health journey.
The cost of the abdominal ultrasound is around $450. Another $150 will be for sedation during the ultrasound. This is a specialist that comes in to perform the ultrasound. I trust this medical team very much, and the East Bay SPCA strives for affordable as possible veterinary costs. After calling around, the quotes I received from other clinics were around $600. The remained of the $1400 diagnosis costs are going towards a coagulation profile (to make sure it is safe for her to have a biopsy of her liver assuring us that the liver will scab over) and the biopsy procedure and test results.
I am also doing this fundraiser in the hopes that some extra money will be raised which I will donate directly to the East Bay SPCA and their Humane Advocacy Program which supports low income residents with the barriers of financial costs for vital veterinary care. These people are really, really amazing. Read more about them here: Humane Advocacy Program
Anything we raise that exceeds Juliette's diagnosis and treatment will go directly back to these lovely people who have supported Juliette and I through this whole journey. I feel grateful and hopeful to pay it forward to what has been a truly life-saving program for us.
Inequality in the Bay Area is stark. Any amount small, medium, or large helps us out. A lot. Thank you so much for your generosity and care in this.
Sherine & Juju
