Xena – Our Brave Little Frenchie

Meet Xena — our tiny, 2-year-old lilac and tan French Bulldog who has the biggest heart in the smallest body. If you’ve ever met her, you know she’s pure love. She’s gentle, calm, endlessly sweet, and lights up every room she walks into. She adores people, loves cuddles, and has always been a bright, joyful part of our family.

On Saturday, December 6th, our lives took a terrifying turn.

My wife and I had been gone for just two hours. When we returned home, we immediately heard our 4-month-old puppy, Onyx, barking in panic upstairs — something completely out of character for him. We ran up the stairs, and what we saw next is something no pet parent should ever have to witness.

Xena was lying on her side inside her crate, gasping and choking for air, barely conscious.

Her gums were pale.

Her tongue was swollen and weak.

Her whole tiny body was struggling desperately to breathe.

We truly thought we were losing her.

We pulled her out of the crate and immediately began CPR efforts — chest compressions and rescue breaths — trying everything we could to help her breathe. But it quickly became clear that this was far beyond what could be handled at home. We knew we had to get her to an emergency hospital immediately if she was going to survive.

We grabbed her, ran to the car, and rushed to the nearest emergency hospital, calling ahead so they could prepare. The ER team immediately pulled her into treatment. Her breathing was so compromised that she had to be placed into an oxygen ICU chamber, sedated, and supported medically just to stabilize her oxygen levels.

For hours, her oxygen saturation wouldn’t rise on its own. Her body was in shock. Her blood work showed stress markers and inflammation. She fought for every breath.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally stabilized — but not without a serious diagnosis:

Xena Has BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome)

This is a congenital breathing disorder common in flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs. Her airway tissues can collapse inward when she gets stressed or breathes too hard, blocking airflow and causing suffocation episodes — exactly what happened to her.

This wasn’t because she swallowed anything. This wasn’t from playing too hard.

This was her anatomy collapsing against her.

And without corrective surgery, it can happen again — suddenly, unpredictably, and potentially fatally.

The ER vets explained that BOAS surgery is strongly recommended for Xena to prevent another crisis. The procedure opens and stabilizes the airway so she can breathe safely for the rest of her life.

We already spent $4,400 in emergency care just to save her life last night.

Now, we are preparing for:

• BOAS corrective surgery

• Specialist consultations

• Follow-up breathing evaluations

• Additional care to ensure she never experiences another life-threatening airway collapse

The surgical estimate in Southern California ranges between $4,000–$7,000, depending on how many airway structures need correction (stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, collapsed saccules, etc.).

Everything we are raising is to give Xena the medical care she needs to live a full, healthy Frenchie life — the life she deserves.

❤️ Who Xena Is

Xena isn’t just a dog. She’s a soul.

She’s gentle, affectionate, and radiates warmth. She’s the type of dog that instantly melts into your arms. She’s calm, loving, and always brings peace into our home. She loves people, loves being cuddled, and loves her puppy brother Onyx.

She didn’t ask to be born with breathing problems - it’s just part of how her breed was created.

But she does deserve a chance to live without fear of suffocating again.

Why We Are Asking for Help

This is not easy for us. We are not used to asking the world for assistance. But after nearly losing her, we realized:

Protecting her life is more important than our pride.

Every donation — big or small — goes directly toward:

• BOAS surgery

• Specialist visits

• Follow-up diagnostics

• Oxygen therapy if needed

• Medications

• Her recovery and long-term breathing health

If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing this page helps more than you know.

Xena is family. She is loved. She is worth fighting for.

We are so grateful she survived this first episode.

Now we’re doing everything in our power to make sure she never goes through anything like that again.

From the bottom of our hearts — and from Xena’s — thank you for reading her story, sharing her story, donating, or just sending love her way.

She truly deserves a long, healthy, happy life.

And with your help, she’ll get it.

Thank you.

— Charles & Mirna

Xena’s Mom & Dad

❤️

⸻

A Little Note From Xena:

“Thank you for helping me breathe easier. I just want to stay with my family and live a long, happy life. Your kindness means everything to me.”