Help Save Alber: Our Joyful Pomeranian Needs a Lifesaving CT Scan

Hi everyone, I’m Emily Whitebay-McClish, and this is the story of our beloved family member, Alber—a 13-year-old Blue Merle Pomeranian who has been the light of our lives since the day we brought him home.

Alber isn’t just a dog; he’s the kindest soul you’ll ever meet, with a fluffy coat that turns heads everywhere we go. People on the streets of New York City stop us constantly to say hi, gushing over how handsome and unique he is. “I’ve never seen such a beautiful little boy!” they exclaim, and Alber always responds with a wagging tail and gentle nuzzles, spreading joy to strangers and friends alike.

Alber has been the perfect big brother to our two young daughters, Zuzu (3 years old) and Dia (1 year old). He patiently lets them cuddle him, follows them around the apartment with his signature Pomeranian prance, and brings endless laughter to our home. Whether it’s playing gentle games or just curling up for storytime, Alber’s calm and loving nature has made him an irreplaceable part of our family. At 13, he’s still full of spirit, but recently, everything changed.

It started about two weeks ago with what seemed like a simple cough and some sneezing. We thought it might be a cold or something minor, especially since Alber had been his picky-eater self but still enjoying his meals. But things escalated quickly—he became lethargic, his breathing grew loud and labored at night, and he developed nasal discharge that spread to both sides, along with eye issues and a puffy, chapped nose. We rushed him to our vet at West Chelsea Veterinary, where tests showed elevated liver enzymes, inflammation, and possible issues like tracheal collapse or dry eye. They prescribed antibiotics and eye treatments, but after a week, there was no improvement. Our vet urged us to take him to the Animal Medical Center (AMC) for advanced diagnostics, warning that it could be something more serious, like a tumor, tooth root abscess, or chronic rhinitis.

Now, as of September 30, 2025, Alber is at AMC, where the specialists are working hard to figure out what’s wrong. They’ve ruled out some things through initial exams and bloodwork, but to get a clear picture—especially to rule out a nasal tumor—they need to perform a CT scan, possibly followed by rhinoscopy. The estimated cost? $6,000 to $8,000.

As a family, we’re doing everything we can, but this unexpected expense is overwhelming, especially with two little ones at home. We can’t bear the thought of not giving Alber the chance he deserves after all the love he’s given us.

Alber has brought so much happiness to the world— from brightening strangers’ days on NYC streets to being the gentle guardian for Zuzu and Dia. He’s not ready to say goodbye, and neither are we. Your support could make all the difference in getting him the answers and treatment he needs to bounce back and continue spreading his joy.

Please consider donating to help cover the CT scan and any follow-up care. Every dollar brings us closer to saving our handsome little boy. If you can’t donate, sharing this campaign with your network would mean the world. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts—let’s rally for Alber!

With gratitude,

Emily, Nicholas, Zuzu, Dia, and Alber

(New York, NY)