Hi friends and community, this is really hard for me to share, but I need to ask for support right now.

Charlie has been struggling medically over the past few weeks. He’s been dealing with some serious health issues, including episodes of dangerously low blood sugar and increasing weakness. We’re in the middle of a complex diagnostic process with the vet and need more of a work up and imaging to understand what’s going on and how best to help him. There is real hope that this could be treatable, but the uncertainty and urgency have been a lot to carry.

I’ve done everything I can to be prepared. Charlie is insured, and I’ve already put significant resources into his care. Still, as many of us know, the reality of the healthcare system, for animals and for humans, is that even with insurance, there are often substantial out-of-pocket costs that have to be paid upfront before reimbursement. The timing of all of this has been especially hard.

At the same time, I’m in the middle of my own medical journey. It’s a chapter that already requires a lot of emotional and physical steadiness, and having Charlie so sick during this moment has pushed me to a place where I realize I can’t do everything alone.

Some of you may not know this, but Charlie has been more than just a dog to me for many years. He came into my life during a particularly difficult chapter, and over time he naturally learned how to support me through PTSD and panic attacks - grounding me, staying close when I needed it, and being a steady presence when things felt overwhelming. With a lot of work, treatment, and Charlie by my side, I’ve come a long way. He’s been my constant companion, my comfort, and one of my closest confidants.

I think many of us know how animals seem to find us during the hardest seasons of our lives, how they carry us when we’re still learning how to stand on our own. Charlie has been that for me. And right now, I want to do everything I can to show up for him in return, while also being honest that I need my community too.

I’ve set up a page to share updates and to help me navigate the next steps in Charlie’s care. Whether you’re able to support, share, check in, or simply hold us in your thoughts, it truly means more than I can say.

Thank you for being here, for caring, and for reminding me that I don’t have to carry this alone. There’s a lot happening at once right now, both with Charlie and with my own medical journey, and it’s been heavier than I expected. Even writing this has felt vulnerable and scary. I’m deeply grateful for the kindness surrounding us.