Misty is our loving 7-year old miniature schnauzer. On 2/20/24 she was hospitalized and doctors performed an urgent splenectomy. She is now home getting all the love and care she needs, but the total bill so far exceeds 9k. My village are my friends, so here I am: asking for any support my village can offer. Thank you for your kindness! Read more about Misty and the procedure below.

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In 2016 our family adopted Misty, a sweet and friendly Miniature Schnauzer, when we lived in Austin, TX. Austin was a perfect city to adopt a dog: very pet friendly. My oldest daughters is asthmatic, but her doctor suggested we looked for a hypoallergenic breed. I visited the Austin Animal Center for months until I finally saw Misty. It was love at first sight. Most importantly, Misty brought so much joy into our lives, particularly into the lives of my two young daughters, who at the time were trying to adapt to their new elementary school, neighborhood, and a new life far from their cousins, aunties, uncles, and grandparents they loved.

It was a quite funny and heartwarming challenge to train 4-month old Misty to be an "apartment dog." She - of course - was an adorable puppy who, well... liked chewing everything, including the walls. Those of us who know Misty, though, know she is an extremely well-mannered dog, who loves cuddles, following her human sisters around the house, having people visiting, and barking at other dogs and at strange noises (because why not).

Misty got urinary infection in 2018 and was hospitalized. Doctors took great care of her. Six years later, on 1/20/24, I rushed to the Veterinary Emergency Center in Canton, CT, as Misty had difficulty breathing after days of refusing food. After a few tests, they sent us to Pieper Veterinary Emergency & Specialty in Middletown, where she was later admitted. It was deemed that Misty had 3 large masses inside her spleen and that it was causing her to have fever and pain.

Misty had to stay at the animal hospital from Saturday to Monday, Jan 22nd, to perform an ultrasound and tests before doctors decided they needed to perform a splenectomy to remove her spleen all together. We were devastated, but doctors strongly indicated we could save her if we agreed with the surgery. What mother would let her baby suffer in pain when doctors are literally saying there is a way to save her? I did not think twice and on the same day she was rushed into surgery.

Thankfully, everything went well. I was told Misty would have to stay two extra days there so they could monitor her, before they decided to discharge her. On the 24th I received the best call: Misty was ready to go home. She is now with her family, receiving all the love and care from us while she heals. She is taking pain medication, still not much interested in food, not yet being her vivacious self, but home nevertheless.

Between the clinic and hospital, the total bill this far amounts to a bit over 9k. This is the difficult part. After her hospitalization in 2018, Misty did not qualify for pet insurance. The financial burden now is too great, so my closest friends all suggested I start a Go Fund to help me raise funding to pay this debt. As off today, I am an one income household. I work a full-time job, support 2 daughters, care for our house and our expenses, all while completing my doctoral degree. My family lives in Brazil, so my village are my amazing friends.

The medical expenses are also not over yet. Within a week we will get lab results as the doctors want to find out if the masses removed were carcinogenic. We are praying for a negative result. Meanwhile, we need help with the monthly payments and need to raise the most amount we can right away, to be able to at least lower the monthly payment to a figure we can afford. We thank you deeply for your kindness and empathy.