Skywalker Vet Emergency

My sister and her dog Skywalker are in the throes of a veterinary emergency, which has led to Skywalker fighting for his life in hospitalization as the costs add up. At the moment, we are waiting for tests to confirm what is hurting Skywalker so much. It could be severe pancreatitis, a chronic kidney injury or cancer.

Pets are family, and you go to great lengths to help those you love. Anyone who has met Skywalker knows what a unique, wholesome, great friend he is, with a genuinely one-of-a-kind spirit. Their story below:

Skywalker came into my life almost a decade ago and has been my little wobbly shadow ever since. A few friends and I were driving along a dirt road about an hour outside of Mexico City, when from behind a row of trees, a dark, scary figure crawled out and stopped right in front of our vehicle. What the hell was this thing? We jumped out of the car and got closer. That’s when we realized the "scary figure" was just a dog. The skinniest, rattiest, mangiest-looking dog I have ever seen. He was pulling his body forward with his front paws while his hind legs dragged in the dirt. We got closer to check whether he was friendly. The minute his head got scratched, the doggo made the funniest face I have ever seen a dog make. It made me laugh. It broke my heart. I realized that if we left him there, he would die. We were his only hope (I had to). I picked him up and carried him on my lap all the way home. An extremely dirty fur ball with spaghetti legs, a dry nose and hopeful eyes.

I remember calling my friend Mariana right after and saying, "I found this dog… he can’t walk; would you know who can take care of him?" Her response: "Congratulations, you now have a dog." At 24, I was not ready to have a dog, especially one needing lots of care. I was young and free; I was not looking for this responsibility.

That first month was tough. I worried I had made a mistake. I was shocked, and so was Skywalker. I believe it had been a long time since anyone showed him care. I remember we would stare at each other from opposite sides of the room, sizing each other up. Not knowing if we could fully trust each other. But in time, we did; we formed an unexplainable bond. Anyone with a pet knows this bond and how you can communicate without saying anything. In the past decade as family, we have grown together, traveled together, walked and played together, exploring forests, beaches, snowy mountains and different cities. Smelled flowers, looked at horizons, and cuddled under the stars.

For our first year together, I would "walk" Skywalker to Electromagnetic acupuncture appointments during lunch hour. During that year he showed how fucking resilient he is. He went from dragging himself around the streets of Mexico City to running upstairs and hiking mountains. He went from a terrified dog who would bark at his reflection to a strong shrimp dog without fear.

About a year after he came into my life, I decided to move to Los Angeles. I had no plan, but I had a dream. People would ask me if I was going to bring Skywalker, to which I replied indignantly: I would never leave him. Wherever I went, he would come too.

It was hard in LA at first, but with time, Skywalker and I found the most beautifully supportive LA community full of artists, weirdos and dreamers. People who have opened their lives and hearts to us, loved us, and supported us for almost eight years.

To know Skywalker is to love him; anyone who has ever met him knows how special he is. How full of joy, curiosity and life he is. How, against all odds, he survived alone in the middle of nowhere without being able to walk. He is a warrior. He is my hero. Even in extreme sickness, he is strong, excited, and graceful. Skywalker has changed my life for the better. People congratulate me for saving him, but I believe he also saved me. He is my mirror; he has given me purpose and a new lens on life. Being his caretaker and friend is the best decision I have ever made.

A few days ago he began to vomit, which led to the first veterinary visit, where they prescribed medication that made things worse. He did not stop vomiting, lost his appetite, and had bloody bowels. After a potential pancreatitis diagnosis at a different vet - which can be fatal - we decided to hospitalize him at LAASER Emergency Veterinary. At the moment, we are waiting to confirm what is hurting him so much. It could be severe pancreatitis, a chronic kidney injury or cancer; we will have more concrete news soon. He's gotten blood tests, X-rays, urine analysis, liquid drained from his chest, IV fluids, anti-vomiting shots, antibiotics, antacids, special diet food and he is currently on day two of hospitalization. He is being well taken care of but at an immense cost. Last night, at around 3:30 am, I took out a credit card for this, which immediately maxed out. The costs are already up to 6k, with no end in sight, which is why I'm asking for your help.

He is very, very sick today, but Skywalker is one of the strongest, most admirable beings I have ever met. I am lucky to have shared this past decade of my life with the little critter. I am sure that with some meds and care, he can have many more days of life ahead of him. Please help me help him feel better.

Thank you. Ale