Hi friends,

Ally here - Olive and Pickle’s mom. This is very difficult to post, but…we could use your help.

If you’ve been following along, you may know that my baby girl Olive, the beautiful little (now senior) qween of my world, has had a very tough time health-wise, especially this past year. In fact, both my girls have been on a bit of a journey of ups and downs and have shared in some medical issues that unfortunately are all too common in dachshunds. Whether it’s been back pain and mobility issues brought on by Intervertebral Disc Disease, anxiety, persistent dental issues, a very scary ordeal with Pickle’s platelets last year, and in Olive’s case chronic pain and ongoing issues with her sweet little behind combined with the extra care senior weens should have, and now a terrifying health scare potentially suggesting the unthinkable - I find myself struggling to keep up, and quite honestly completely overwhelmed not only emotionally but financially. Now with dental needs coming up for both girls again, combined with the potential costs of exploring Olive’s concerning swollen lymph nodes, I’m just not sure how we’re going to manage.

Firstly I want to make this very clear: I would never think for one second that my responsibilities as a dog mom are anyone else’s but my own. I take complete ownership of everything I have taken on to have these amazing little creatures in my life and I would happily go bankrupt to make sure they’re taken care of because that’s what a person has to do when they choose to bring a new family member home. I’ve always said “if you can’t vet it, don’t get it”. Seems like such a simple concept when it isn’t you in the middle of it, and I do still believe that if you aren’t prepared to take on financial costs for your pups, then you shouldn’t bring them into your life. That said, it was never my intention to take financial care of both of my girls on my own. I was previously in a situation wherein the costs were shared, and I’m simply not in that position any longer as things have changed, and that’s okay. These are my babies (I birthed them, okay?) and I consider it a privilege to have them dependent on me, and of course I’d do anything for them. So while it’s painful and embarrassing and very uncomfortable being this vulnerable, I’m asking the people who love my girls as much as I do and have watched them grow up over the years to help ease the weight of these seemingly impossible ongoing financial demands.

I know this platform sees completely devastating and unimaginable tragedy sweeping over peoples’ lives, and so, so many people need help. I understand my situation could be a lot worse (and it isn’t unique, many pet parents are drowning in vet costs) and I understand that it may seem trivial in comparison to the heartbreaking horror stories circulating on GoFundMe. That said, I feel I have minimal options. I’m doing my best to budget appropriately, and I’m saving what I can, but at the end of the day there are limits to what I can do financially, and unfortunately, I’m currently still living on a paycheck to paycheck basis. I’d sooner sell a kidney than see my girls go without care, but I figured this could be a step before that (I’m mostly kidding, don’t worry).

So thank you for reading this far in. I can’t tell you what your support means to me, and I know if given the chance, Olive and Pickle would give you all very wet kisses on the mouth.

Thank you for loving my girls and thank you for all your support and kindness over the years as they’ve grown up and as we’ve navigated all the ups and downs that come with sharing your life with these amazing, resilient, hilarious, weird, very special little things that I’m so lucky to have in my life. If you have the means to contribute, I can’t thank you enough, and I will be there for you in the future if the situation is reversed.

Ally and the weens xx