Hi Friends,

Over the past few months, Plum has faced one medical challenge after another. What began as a heart murmur turned into a diagnosed valve issue with a cardiologist that will need an echo every year to monitor. Changes in her behavior — spinning on walks and moments of fogginess — led us to a neurology consult. Then, acute vomiting and regurgitation resulted in a full workup, revealing possible issues with her pancreas. Some of this may stem from her past accident (they can’t rule out a prior head injury, for example), and some is simply the reality of her complex little body from possible years of neglect.

For this year alone, her care has totaled me about $5,600— $1,200 for cardiology, $2,400 for neurology and pancreatitis testing, and the remaining $2000 for vet follow up appointments — with another estimated $4600 to $7600 needed for a possible MRI (their quote included a low end estimate and a high end one). She also still has severe dental issues, and I can't imagine what could be in store for us there. Despite having insurance, it has kicked back most of these costs. On top of navigating my own medical needs and repeatedly having to re-establish her primary care, it’s been overwhelming.

As hard as it is to ask, we could truly use help. Plum is a survivor — surrendered to MuddyPaws with serious injuries, she was fostered with lots of love and fought her way back to joy and safety. She is still fighting in some ways though.

Any support you’re able to give toward her medical expenses would mean more than I can put into words. I work in education and nonprofits, and while I joke often about praying to win the lottery so that I can give Plum the world, right now I’m simply grateful for the compassion of our community.

Thank you for loving her. Thank you for standing with us. If you want to follow her journey and drop a line to us, we're at @littlemissplum on Instagram.

If you'd like to see how far she's come and all that she's overcoming, I recommend starting with this video here that her previous foster parents, Katie and Tate, made.