This is a post I hoped I would never have to make.
Last Saturday, I had to say goodbye to my dog, Lola.
For the past eight years, she has been my constant companion—through some of the most difficult physical and mental health challenges in my life. As a single person, she wasn’t just a pet—she was my family, my comfort, and my steady source of love.
Over the last two weeks, Lola became very sick. What started as concern quickly turned into a series of urgent vet visits as her condition worsened and she was in obvious, severe pain. I took her to her regular vet multiple times, a veterinary ER, and ultimately to NC State’s veterinary hospital, where she stayed overnight and was seen by both emergency and neurology specialists.
It was there that we finally got answers. The neurologists found spinal lesions that were most likely fast-growing and compressing her spinal cord—explaining the sudden and severe pain she had been experiencing.
Until that point, no one could determine what was wrong. I made the decision to pursue every option available—not because it was easy, but because she deserved that. She had always been there for me, and I couldn’t let her suffer without doing everything possible to help her.
Despite all efforts, her condition was ultimately too severe, and I had to make the heartbreaking decision to let her go.
In trying to save her and keep her comfortable, I have accumulated significant veterinary expenses in a very short period of time. Because NC State has not yet finalized my bill, I am sharing a range: at best, the total will be around $5,000, and at worst, it could reach $8,000.
As an elementary school teacher in North Carolina, this is already a significant financial burden—but it comes on top of ongoing monthly medical expenses I have to manage for my own health.
I am asking for help to cover these unexpected costs so I can stay afloat during an already incredibly difficult time. Any support—whether through donating or simply sharing this—means more than I can express.
Thank you for helping me honor Lola and the love she gave so freely.
❤️