Donation protected
On Sunday night, out of the blue -- our amazing, sweet, special, loving little 4 year-old dog Millie suddenly was dragging her hind legs. We took her into the emergency room and discovered that she had acute paralysis of her bottom half.
Our hearts are just breaking.
No one deserves this -- especially this little, sweet love.
I've known a lot of dogs, but none of them have ever had the sweet, gentleness, kindness and heart of Millie.
We rescued Millie 3 years ago after the Santa Rosa fires. They found her super skinny, barely alive -- but fighting -- and they think she escaped from a puppy mill during the fire, as she was only 1 year old, but was pregnant with little puppies at the time. The doctors who rescued her had to remove the puppies in order to save her life ---
--- and after a devastating and heart-breaking welcome to the world, she survived, she found us, and by some miracle, when so much trauma could turn just about anyone into an angry, untrusting creature -- she somehow managed to not only continue to trust, and become the most loving, thankful, incredibly sensitive, and the sweetest, most gentle dog we've ever known.
Since the day our daughter Audrey was born 1.5 years ago, Millie has guarded her like a second mom. She gives her licks and cuddles with her -- almost as if Audrey was one of the puppies that Millie lost when she was young. It's amazing to watch.
The doctors are currently running a CScan on her and if her condition is operable, (which we pray it is), the doctors say that spinal surgery will be her best fighting chance to regain her ability to walk again -- but there is only a 50/50 chance.
This surgery comes at a price though-- and it is not one that we were prepared for last night. The doctors say that the sooner they operate on her, the better chance she has. However, the estimate for the whole process and operation is $11K to $13K -- and they need 1/2 now and 1/2 when we pick her up (which will hopefully be after a successful operation in the next day or two.)
If Millie is unable to walk again, they say that it is not a quality of life that will make her happy, as she would forever need help moving, walking, going to the bathroom, and need a catheter for the rest of her days -- which we wouldn't want for her. She loves chasing things, running around the house with toys, protecting Audrey, and cuddling with us in bed. I know it would break her heart if she couldn't do these things. She is only about 4 years old -- she has so much of a life left to live -- and she brings so much light and joy into our world -- especially after such a difficult year or two.
We are going to go through with the surgery -- but it is not a sure thing by any means. It is extremely difficult for us -- especially with such short notice-- both financially and emotionally, so we are asking friends/family/strangers to help us ease a little bit of the difficulty, stress, and pain if they can. If not by donation, than by kind, healing thoughts for sweet little Millie, or prayer, or anything.
Millie is more than a part of our family -- she is a special little creature that creates happiness and joy wherever she trots and to whomever she meets -- and now more than ever, we need more beings like that in our world. Please help support Millie and our family.
With our deepest love, humility, gratitude and the warmestthanks,
The Schwartz Family
Mark, Claire, Audrey, Henry and Millie -- a.k.a "Moops" a.k.a "Silly Millie" a.k.a "Lil' Mills College"
Our hearts are just breaking.
No one deserves this -- especially this little, sweet love.
I've known a lot of dogs, but none of them have ever had the sweet, gentleness, kindness and heart of Millie.
We rescued Millie 3 years ago after the Santa Rosa fires. They found her super skinny, barely alive -- but fighting -- and they think she escaped from a puppy mill during the fire, as she was only 1 year old, but was pregnant with little puppies at the time. The doctors who rescued her had to remove the puppies in order to save her life ---
--- and after a devastating and heart-breaking welcome to the world, she survived, she found us, and by some miracle, when so much trauma could turn just about anyone into an angry, untrusting creature -- she somehow managed to not only continue to trust, and become the most loving, thankful, incredibly sensitive, and the sweetest, most gentle dog we've ever known.
Since the day our daughter Audrey was born 1.5 years ago, Millie has guarded her like a second mom. She gives her licks and cuddles with her -- almost as if Audrey was one of the puppies that Millie lost when she was young. It's amazing to watch.
The doctors are currently running a CScan on her and if her condition is operable, (which we pray it is), the doctors say that spinal surgery will be her best fighting chance to regain her ability to walk again -- but there is only a 50/50 chance.
This surgery comes at a price though-- and it is not one that we were prepared for last night. The doctors say that the sooner they operate on her, the better chance she has. However, the estimate for the whole process and operation is $11K to $13K -- and they need 1/2 now and 1/2 when we pick her up (which will hopefully be after a successful operation in the next day or two.)
If Millie is unable to walk again, they say that it is not a quality of life that will make her happy, as she would forever need help moving, walking, going to the bathroom, and need a catheter for the rest of her days -- which we wouldn't want for her. She loves chasing things, running around the house with toys, protecting Audrey, and cuddling with us in bed. I know it would break her heart if she couldn't do these things. She is only about 4 years old -- she has so much of a life left to live -- and she brings so much light and joy into our world -- especially after such a difficult year or two.
We are going to go through with the surgery -- but it is not a sure thing by any means. It is extremely difficult for us -- especially with such short notice-- both financially and emotionally, so we are asking friends/family/strangers to help us ease a little bit of the difficulty, stress, and pain if they can. If not by donation, than by kind, healing thoughts for sweet little Millie, or prayer, or anything.
Millie is more than a part of our family -- she is a special little creature that creates happiness and joy wherever she trots and to whomever she meets -- and now more than ever, we need more beings like that in our world. Please help support Millie and our family.
With our deepest love, humility, gratitude and the warmestthanks,
The Schwartz Family
Mark, Claire, Audrey, Henry and Millie -- a.k.a "Moops" a.k.a "Silly Millie" a.k.a "Lil' Mills College"
Organizer
Mark Schwartz
Organizer
Benicia, CA