This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to write.

Our dog Ophelia has been diagnosed with a pituitary macroadenoma, a tumor growing in the pituitary gland in her brain. The tumor is pressing on her brain and has caused neurological damage, vision loss, seizure-like episodes, chronic pain, and Cushing’s disease, which comes with a host of additional chronic symptoms. We’ve seen 6 different veterinarians, including multiple specialists, and they’ve told us our only remaining options are radiation treatment to save her life, or euthanasia to relieve her suffering.

Radiation therapy has a very high success rate for this type of tumor. It is also unlike the radiation used for humans. For animals, it’s painless and the focus is on comfort and comes with minimal side effects. Her doctors have told us she is an excellent candidate because she’s younger than most dogs with this condition, and treatment could shrink the tumor, relieve the pressure on her brain, and give her years of comfortable, happy life. We just need help so we can get her back.

She declined so quickly. She has always been a very happy, healthy girl until one day she stopped playing with her toys, raising her tail, or often even getting out of bed. She has had nonstop tremors for months, has lost vision in her left eye, and lives with constant neurological symptoms and pain. Since October, we’ve had vet appointments or emergency visits nearly every other week, desperately trying to find answers and help her feel better. This has taken a tremendous toll on us emotionally, mentally, and financially. We just love her so much. It's heart wrenching to watch her suffer.

Ophie is my lil shadow. I’ve worked from home for six years and she has been by my side every single day. She's in my lap, sleeping beside me, or even laying in a bed on my desk. She follows me everywhere. I’ve spent so long with her that I can’t stand being home without her at my side. I literally can’t imagine life without her.

We are desperate to save her. We have drained our savings, maxed out credit cards, and nearly exhausted her insurance paying for her ongoing appointments, medications, and specialists. To make matters even worse, I was laid off from my job of six years on February 13.

Her next step is a CT scan and stereotactic radiation therapy at Colorado Animal Specialty & Emergency in Boulder on February 26. The estimated cost is $8,000–$10,000.

According to her internal medicine specialist, “Based on Ophelia's symptoms - including her vision loss in the left eye, head pain, neck discomfort, convulsions and seizures, and history of Cushing's disease - she has a pituitary macroadenoma. We talked extensively about radiation therapy as the most effective treatment option for this condition. Modern stereotactic radiation technology has minimal side effects and typically results in improvement of neurological signs and better control of Cushing's disease.”

Our options are to either save her or let her go.

I will never forgive myself if we don’t try.

If you’re able to donate, even a small amount, it will go directly toward Ophelia’s diagnostic imaging and radiation treatment. If treatment costs less than expected or there are remaining funds, it will be used for her follow-up care, recovery, and Cushing’s management.

If you can’t donate, sharing her story is also helpful.

Ophie is still here. She still looks for me. We still see glimpses of her old self. She is still fighting. We just need the chance to fight for her, too.

Thank you for caring and for helping us try to save her life.

We both appreciate your help more than we could possibly explain.