Save Wesley the Cavalier's Life Who Needs Open-Heart Surgery

We are Emiliano and Alisha Maldonado, and we’re reaching out with heavy hearts. Our beloved dog — our son — Wesley “Bee” Maldonado, is in need of life-saving open heart surgery, and we would be endlessly grateful for your help in getting him the care he needs.

Wesley was born June 17th, 2017. Alisha and I, just a young couple, took this sweet ruby boy home when he was just 5 months old. Wesley's calm temperament and loving core is a recipe for the perfect companion. Throughout these past 7 years he has visited many people, young & elderly, and has provided them with a source of comfort that only a cavalier can provide. So many people have been touched by his loving presence. He truly is a special soul.

Wesley was confirmed to have a moderately enlarged left atrium via echocardiogram on Wednesday, April 16th. To say we were devastated that day is an understatement. His echocardiogram last year showed a normal sized mitral valve. Due to the progression of his mitral valve disease, his cardiologist is concerned and has suggested that Wesley undergo a mitral valve repair procedure (open heart surgery), before his MVD reaches a point where he will no longer meet the criteria to undergo surgery. There are very few veterinary cardiologists that perform this surgery in the world. The most recommended place to get the repair done is at the JASMINE Animal Specialty Medical Institute in Yokohama, Japan. While medicine can be unpredictable, this wonderful group of specialists have nearly perfected their craft, boasting a 97.5% success rate in patients who undergo this surgery. This surgery can add several precious years to his life, sparing him from from the painful and fatal progression of congestive heart failure and give him a chance to continue to live a life where he makes everyone else's so much better.

Alisha and I are humbly asking for your help to donate so we can secure this surgery for Wesley. The surgery itself is approximately $18,000. The many pre-surgical diagnostics, consultations and administrative paperwork required by Japan and the U.S are approximately $4,000. We are trying to fund our accommodations and flights on our own, but the costs associated to Wesley's surgery and care, we are praying that those kind enough to donate, will.

This is the single most difficult thing that we've gone through, as Wesley is not just a dog, Wesley is our son. Wesley is the single most important thing in our lives, and he deserves a chance to continue to shine a light on everyone.

If you are able, please consider donating to Wesley's fund. And even if you can’t donate, sharing his GoFundMe and his story means more than you know. Alisha and I will be eternally grateful.

As a thank you, everyone who donates will receive an 8x10 photo of Wesley with his actual paw print signature — his personal thank you to you. (:

We will provide updates of Wesley's journey on his instagram account: wesleythecavvie.

They say that Cavaliers hearts grow so large because they have so much love to give.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,

Emiliano & Alisha Maldonado