A few days ago, I noticed something concerning — Athena had blood in her stool. Behaviorally, she seemed completely normal: happy, playful, full of energy, still eating and drinking like her usual self. At 10 years old, she’s always been a bright, joyful spirit who loves to run, play, and cuddle.

This actually first happened back in July. At that time, she went to the vet for her annual check-up and vaccinations. The vet advised me to monitor the situation, and thankfully, it cleared up within a week. So when the issue came back recently, I didn’t want to take any chances — I brought her to the vet right away.

That’s when things took a turn I never expected.

The first concern was that Athena had lost a noticeable amount of weight. She’s always been a naturally lean and active dog, but this level of weight loss over just a few months was worrying. Then, during her exam, the vet thought they heard a heart murmur. Because she was excited and her heart rate was elevated, they recommended sedation and x-rays to get a clearer picture.

When we returned for the results, my heart broke. The x-rays showed that Athena’s spleen is two to three times larger than normal — so enlarged that it’s pressing back against her bladder. The cause isn’t yet certain, but the vet suspects a tumor or multiple tumors in her abdomen. They also confirmed the heart murmur, rated a 3 out of 6, meaning her heart is under extra stress.

The next step is an abdominal ultrasound to see what’s truly going on with her organs. Depending on what they find, she may need a splenectomy (spleen removal surgery). Unfortunately, the heart murmur makes this surgery extremely risky — the procedure itself could put too much strain on her heart.

If left untreated, the vet estimates she may only have 3–6 months.

I can’t describe the heartbreak of hearing those words. Athena has been my constant — my best friend, my companion through every chapter of my life. She’s my family. I am completely devastated. My happy, “healthy” girl — my best friend — has always been the picture of vitality. She still has that puppy sparkle in her eyes, that boundless love and excitement for life. To think something this serious is happening inside her, while she’s still wagging her tail and smiling up at me… it’s unbearable.

Some nights, I find myself sitting beside her, just watching her sleep — holding my breath until I see her chest rise and fall, listening for each tiny sigh, just to make sure she’s still breathing. It’s a quiet reminder of how scared I am to lose her, and how precious every single moment with her truly is.

Right now, I’m doing everything I can to take it one step at a time and focus on giving Athena the best possible care, comfort, and love. I am determined to move heaven and Earth for my girl. We have a rough plan in place, and will continue adjusting it as we learn more.

But I can’t do this alone. The tests, ultrasounds, and potential surgery are expensive — and every day matters.

If you’re able to donate, every single dollar goes directly toward Athena’s medical care, diagnostic tests, and treatment. Even if you can’t contribute financially, sharing this campaign means the world to us.

Athena has given me ten years of unconditional love, laughter, and loyalty. Please help me give her the time, comfort, and care she deserves.

From the bottom of my heart — thank you for reading, donating, and supporting us through this fight. ❤️

With love,

Ali & Athena