Lily Loves You: Lily's Make a Wish GoFundMe

Hi there -- my name is Liz.

 

I once wrote an article for a site called Dogster in which I claimed I never ever wanted a dog. And for a while, that's exactly how I planned to live my life.

 

But as the saying goes, "Life is what happens while you're busy making plans." A lot of things have happened since I wrote that article that I never ever planned on happening: I switched careers from a writer to a software developer, I was diagnosed with and underwent treatment for breast cancer, I decided that I actually do want to one day say, "I do," and I was partially hospitalized for a suicide attempt I am glad I was successfully unsuccessful at because I ended up meeting a man who lived literally right around the corner and we fell in love and we got engaged.

 

And with my fiancé came two pugs named Gary and Lily.

 

So the young woman who once said she never ever wanted dogs now has two pugs. If it's true that God laughs when we make plans, then I must be the biggest joke!

 

I don't know if it's because both our names start with an "L" and an "I" or because both of us are particularly petite or because it would turn out both of us ended up diagnosed with cancer "at a young age," but Lily and I quickly formed a special bond. We both like wearing pink accessories, we both like sleeping in late, we both like binge-watching bad TV, and when we both are feeling well enough, we like to go for long walks in Golden Gate Park together. Lily has a Great Dane heart in a little pug body. She is tender and sweet and empathic, amiable and cooperative and happy to play the clown if it means she can make you smile when you are feeling sad. She sits in my lap and falls asleep with her head on my shoulder while I work from home.

 

In March 2022, after nearly a month of severe illness and losing 2 pounds, Lil' Lil was diagnosed with small cell gastrointestinal lymphoma. There is no cure. There is, however, a treatment of chemotherapy and steroids that can comfortably prolong her life until the cancer eventually overcomes her. At that time, we will do what we can to make sure her journey to the Rainbow Bridge is as painless and peaceful as possible.

 

Lily had been tolerating her chemo well -- gaining weight back and restored to her puppy-like disposition -- until very recently when she fell very ill. What started as a loss of appetite and frequent vomiting quickly escalated. We rushed her to the SAGE Veterinary Center in San Francisco on the morning of May 26th, and at the time of this writing Saturday, May 28th, that's where she has remained.

 

Her doctor believes she had a stomach infection that got into her bloodstream and then into her lungs. Her vitals were very poor, she was severely dehydrated, and she was having so much trouble breathing that she had to be put on supplemental oxygen. My fiancé and I went to visit her yesterday. Lily was hooked up to IVs and monitors, gasping for air, and too lethargic to greet us, but we could see in her eyes that she was happy to see us despite her discomfort. I started to cry because, like Lily, I am very empathic too, and I hate to see Lily -- or anyone -- suffering, especially when the world feels particularly inundated with tragedy and despair right now.

 

I was scared she wouldn't survive the night.

 

But Lil' Lil is a feisty fighter! The antibiotics seem to be helping and she made it to see the new day! This morning the doctor gave us a more optimistic update and while we all remain hopeful, Lily is still averse to food and will have to remain a third night at the hospital under careful observation.

 

Unfortunately, we do not have pet insurance for Lily and while we believe Lily's life is priceless, the bill for her treatment is quickly becoming more than we can comfortably handle. I am currently undergoing some major medical treatments myself for illnesses related to my mental health -- some of which I have had to pay out of pocket for -- and with the rising costs of essentials such as groceries and gas, we have decided to overcome the stigma of asking for help and turn to our community for assistance.

 

We know these are challenging times for everyone so we are grateful for anything you can share with us. If you are not in a position to give monetarily, I have one thing to ask of you: Will you please do something kind for yourself? And if it is difficult to be kind to yourself (I have been there), then will you do something kind for someone else? There is so much darkness in the world right now that any small act of compassion is kindling enough to bring back the light.

 

I think it's what Lily would wish for as well.

 

Thank you so much. Lily loves you.

Thank You Gifts

We want to thank you for your donation with a small gift.

Donate $10 and we will send you a Lily Loves You glossy vinyl sticker. Perfect for water bottles, notebooks, or laptops, wherever you place this sticker, you will have a reminder that there's a little pug out there who loves you.

Donate $50 and we will send you a limited edition holographic sparkle Lily Loves You glossy vinyl sticker. We only have 25 of these!

Donate $100 or more and we will send you a surprise special edition Lily sticker. The design will be revealed later once it is completed.