Support Amber's Fight for Tabitha's Life

Hello, my name is Aly Donaldson and if you’re reading this, odds are, you’ve been blessed to know the dynamic duo that is my best friend Amber Allen & her dog (my niece) Tabitha June.

If so, I’m willing to bet that you were drawn to them immediately by the brightest sunshine you’ve ever felt being emitted from their souls and covering you in a warmth you never knew before.

At least that’s true for me, anyway.

Amber and I have basically been attached at the hip for about 14 years and when I moved to Hawaii in 2015, it felt like I was too far away from her so about a year later, I invited her to drop everything and come start a new chapter with us.

3 months later, Amber began looking for a side hustle and through a referral at work, enters Tabitha. A 6 month old pure white Labrador who was bursting with affection, playfulness, and curiosity. Amber became her dog walker and shortly thereafter, had the opportunity to adopt her! On April 3rd 2017, we welcomed her wiggly butt into our little home with open arms and she’s since filled our lives with adventure, laughs until our sides hurt, and the kind of therapeutic love that only a lab like her could give.

Tabitha’s been an athlete her entire life. Lean as an Olympian from hiking all over O’ahu, the bravest swimmer with four legs often blending in among dolphins, and forever chasing a ball in the sun, this girl simply could not be stopped….until recently.

Tabitha turns 8 years old in October and her village is now praying she makes it there.

Her health has taken a decline over the past couple of years surrounding the difficulty keeping weight on her. She was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver in November 2023 and walked out of the clinic with a lifetime prescription of Denamarin.

Little did we know then that there would be more complications to come.

Her most recent vet visit about a week ago was an emergency one due to her stomach becoming bloated. The doctors are speculating things could now be cancerous but in order to take the next steps, there needs to be significant funding so I’m setting up this fundraiser because I want to see the load on Amber’s shoulders get lighter while she gives Tabitha the opportunity to receive the medical treatments she needs right now. The vet estimated almost four thousand dollars for the ultrasound and biopsy alone. That’s not including any further treatment, medications, time away from work to care for her, and of course Amber’s own bills/needs while she navigates through this heartbreak.

Amber has done everything financially possible to persevere with her dog in Hawaii for the past 7 years and if you don’t know the level of difficulty that often comes with, you are truly blessed.

Between the trademark sky-high rent in the islands, the ever-increasing cost of household goods, veterinary care, and everything in-between, I’ve managed to convince Amber that it’s time to lean on her & Tab’s ohana and humbly ask for help during this unprecedented time.

We realize it may or may not be possible to save this sweet girl’s life but even if we can prolong it, for as long as possible, she deserves that. If you’ve ever loved a pet, I’m sure you’d agree that 7 years is not enough time with them.

These girls have a bond so special, it can be felt from across a room full of people & animals and they both have the ability to make you feel loved when it’s sometimes hard to love yourself.

I’m Tab’s auntie and I cherish her like she’s my own dog. She’s been a huge source of joy for all who’ve known her for the entirety of her life and we’re just not ready to say goodbye to those big brown eyes and enormous tongue-out smile.

If you feel compelled to even contribute $5, every single coin counts through all of this and I can assure you that no two girls deserve it more.

If you can’t afford to donate, I will ask that you please share this fundraiser or reach out and send them your love & prayers that they’ll get through this together and enjoy some more years throwing her ball by the ocean.

❤️