I’m Olivia, and I’m creating this fundraiser for myself and my dog, Max. Max has been by my side since I adopted him in 2019, and through every setback, he has been a constant source of comfort and support. In the last two years we've faced ongoing hardship and instability including personal health issues, near homelessness, and many job changes. These challenges have made it incredibly hard to keep steady footing, and I’m doing everything I can to make it through while continuing to care for Max, who is my whole world.

Max was recently diagnosed with a tumor on his parathyroid gland that had to be surgically removed. This condition is relatively rare and requires a trained surgeon to perform the surgery. There were significant risks involved with this surgery as well. There was a significant risk of "hypocalcemia" which can cause tremors, facial ticks, or even cause seizures or neurological damage. Tracking his blood calcium levels in dogs is not a option at most general practices, and we needed to be near a hospital that would be able to give us immediate information on his calcium levels especially through the first 72 hours post op. Since we live fairly remotely in Durango, CO, there were no hospitals even within a couple hours of Durango that could provide this level of care for him. We determined that the best place to take him was the CSU Veterinarian Teaching Hospital in Fort Collins, CO. This hospital balanced the needs for excellent care, 24-hour monitoring and financial costs associated with this surgery.

The support from this fundraiser will help me pay for Max's surgery, hospitalization, and of course his ongoing blood testing that will happen for the next few months post surgery. It will also help pay for the accommodations I had to get to bring him to Fort Collins for this surgery. We've been quoted ~$10,000 for this surgery and hospitalization. The cost of travel will end up being around $2,500 for gas, our accommodations and other costs associated with this travel.

If, for whatever reason, our costs end up being less than what is fundraised, we will be splitting the costs between several animal rescues in the area we live. The exact rescues will be determined based on total amount we are able to donate, but they will be rescues with a special focus on rescuing "difficult" breeds, animals that are rescued from the reservations in the four corners areas, and rescues that provide veterinary care to those who have financial barriers to access said care.

If you are able, I would be deeply grateful any level of donation. Even $5 will make a difference. Every bit of support helps lighten the burden and gives me hope as Max and I work toward a safe, healthy and wonderful future together. We have been told that this surgery has a 95% success rate, which gives us a lot of peace of mind with our odds for our future together. If finances are a burden, then do not feel pressured to support us financially. We would also deeply appreciate support given by sharing our fundraising efforts and sharing Max's story with whoever you know that loves their dog just as much as I love mine.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for standing with us during this hard time. This has been unimaginably stressful and difficult and any amount you are able to provide will be extraordinarily helpful.

For continued updates on his post-surgical care, and beautiful life (pre and post surgery) please follow us on Instagram @oliveandmaxi or on Facebook .