Meet Cyrus. My 3-year old French Bulldog who has been with me (Brandon) since Dec 2020 at just 6 weeks old. Never having had a human child, Cyrus, my pandemic baby, means the absolute world to me. After spending a chaotic 2020 sheltering in place alone in my apartment and the negative impact to my mental health, getting Cyrus was life altering and life healing.

Cyrus is my first dog. I was unaware of the health challenges faced by this (amazing) breed when I got him. Fortunately in his 3+ years with me, he has had zero major health issues and enjoys socializing with other dogs and humans like no dog I’ve ever encountered. He’s a loving and popular member of the wonderful Dog Social Club (daycare) in Oakland where he plays while his dad works in the non-profit field in SF.

Sunday night Cyrus started having trouble breathing, making quite a scary sound, unable to rest. Yesterday, I got to the Vet and was told fairly immediately that he needed to be intubated and placed on oxygen. While his chest X-rays were positive, not revealing any abnormalities, Cyrus has been diagnosed with Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) and he needs palette surgery to restore proper breathing and continue his life. Until surgery he cannot play, take long walks, or socialize in any way that would excite him. For a dog that loves daycare, loves visiting neighbors, a dog who’s a bonafide socialite, this is hard.

All dogs are amazing and they all have a gift for digging themselves into the human heart. Like all humans with fur babies, I know one day I’ll have to say goodbye to Cyrus but that has to be years from now.

If you can assist with helping my baby boy to breathe, please do.

Peace and love.