Hector has been with us since the day he was born. He’s been our family for 16 years — constant, steady, and deeply loved.

Yesterday, he became suddenly and critically ill and was rushed to the University of Illinois Emergency Veterinary Clinic. He’s currently in the ICU under close monitoring. The veterinary team is very concerned about his lungs and liver, and his prognosis is guarded. He is stable and not in pain, but his condition is serious and uncertain, and we don’t know yet what the outcome will be.

We’re sharing this with a lot of humility, because asking for help is not easy. The costs of emergency ICU care have risen quickly: the initial estimate was $3,000–$5,000, we’re already around $3,500, and we’ve been told it may go beyond $5,000 as treatment continues.

If you’re able to help, even a small contribution would mean a lot. If you can’t, sharing this or keeping Hector in your thoughts is just as appreciated. Thank you for reading, and thank you for any support you can offer.