Hi friends and kind-hearted strangers,

This isn’t how I imagined marking my birthday this year, but life has a way of shifting our plans. Instead of gifts or celebrations, I’m asking for help in remembering and honoring someone who meant the world to me — my beloved dog, Miss Cookie.

My Cookie was more than a pet — she was my family, my shadow, my comfort through the hard days, and my joy through the good ones. Cookie is a rescue dog and I became her foster Dad for nearly two years. She bravely fought through being deaf, heart problems (6 pills daily), large mammary tumors but she developed pyometra and had a hysterectomy the died in her sleep. In her short stay she underwent treatments, medications, and ultimately surgery. I did everything I could to give her the best chance and the most love until the very end.

Sadly, I didn't get to say goodbye to her when she died in her sleep on August 31st, and with that loss comes not just the emotional weight, but the financial one. The costs from her care — vet visits, medications, surgery, and end-of-life expenses — have added up to more than I can manage alone.

So, in lieu of birthday gifts this year, I’m humbly asking for help to ease the burden. Every dollar will go directly toward paying down the bills from her treatment and care. If you've ever loved a pet, you know how deeply they touch our lives — and how hard it is to let them go.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, for any support you're able to give, and for helping me honor Cookie's beautiful life. It means more than I can say.

With gratitude,

Edwin