Our Beloved Rico is Fighting for His Life

We are reaching out today with the heaviest of hearts to ask for your support. Our sweet dog, Rico, is currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the veterinary hospital, fighting a severe, life-threatening illness.

Rico, who is only five and a half years old, is suffering from severe anemia with dangerously critical hematocrit levels. In the last 30 days, he has already needed three emergency blood transfusions just to keep him stable.

An Unknown Battle

The doctors are doing everything they can, but the cause remains a mystery. We've already explored and ruled out gastrointestinal bleeding, and the team is now focused on two main possibilities:

Tick-Borne Illness: A specialized panel has been sent out, and we expect results in the next 3–5 days.

Possible Cancer: This is a terrifying possibility, and the source and location are currently unknown.

To move forward and try to find an answer, Rico needs an abdominal ultrasound tomorrow, which will cost $800–$900 alone. This is the critical next step the doctors need to take to finally get a diagnosis.

The Financial Reality

We have already dedicated every resource we have to Rico’s care. Over the past month, the costs for emergency visits, medications, diagnostics, and three blood transfusions have totaled upwards of $7,000–$8,000.

Now, we face a daunting financial hurdle. Depending on the diagnosis, the path forward—whether it involves surgery, cancer treatment, or long-term hospitalization—could easily require another $10,000 or more.

We have exhausted all of our savings and options. We desperately need help to cover the immediate ultrasound and the subsequent treatment Rico will need to survive.

Rico Rescued Us

Rico isn't just a pet; he's our family. As a rescue dog, he truly rescued us—my partner, Lauren, and me. He is the most loving, goofy, and loyal companion, and the thought of his short life being cut tragically short is unbearable.

The hardest truth is this: if we cannot raise the funds for his continued care and diagnosis, we may be forced to make the hardest decision of our lives. We are begging for a chance to fight for him.

How You Can Help

Every single dollar will go directly to Rico’s medical bills, giving him a chance to get a diagnosis and the treatment he needs to come home.

Donate: Any amount helps us get closer to the immediate goal of the ultrasound and future treatment.

Share: Please share Rico’s story with your friends, family, and social networks. Spreading the word is free and incredibly powerful.

Please help us save our boy. We can't imagine our lives without him. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering a donation and for keeping Rico in your thoughts.