Support Beto's Life-Saving Operation

In 2019, my friend Amanda rescued a shaking little Chihuahua, miniature Pinscher mix from a young homeless man in Venice Beach. He was tied up on a bench with an iPhone cord around his neck in the freezing cold of January and heartbreakingly was being tied up at night outside a homeless shelter with just a cardboard box for warmth. Her idea was to find a home for him, but within one week, he had literally burrowed himself inside my heart and my life, and there was no chance I would give him up.

So it began, my life with Beto, my little soulmate/daemon who is never far from my side and with whom I would be lost without. Over the weekend, I found out that Beto's gallbladder is on the verge of bursting and he needs immediate surgery. And it's not a simple surgery and doesn't come without risk and a long recovery. There is a 20% chance he won't survive the surgery - and to add insult to injury, I was told that it would cost me a minimum of $15,000 and as much as $20,000. And that is in addition to the thousands I have already spent on just the testing to get us here. I have pet insurance and Care Credit, but my insurance will cap out long before the cost is covered. I have spent countless hours seeking less expensive options in every county of CA and every state and am still hopeful something will come through. So many dog friends have come out of the woodwork to try to help me, for which I am eternally grateful, if even to just know people understand how this feels. Like so many pet owners, I can't believe I am in the position of choosing my pet's life or back-breaking debt (the cost of choosing a nonprofit career).

Regardless of what happens, I will figure it out. He will have the surgery. I have never done a GoFundMe before, and I was hesitant to even do it because we all have financial burdens and mine are not special. But for those of you who either know and love Beto or have expressed a desire to help ease some of the cost, I decided to do it, and for anyone who chips in, I want you to know that I would do the same for you if you were to ever need it. Or if it's not a good time for you, please keep my precious baby in your prayers. I have lost both of my parents in the past two years and I just don't know if I can take another hit right now.

Hold your real babies and your fur babies tight for me. Much love to all.