Hi my name is Breanna and I'm trying to gather donations for my eldest dog, Kona. A little background about us: She is my first dog I've raised on my own. I was blessed with her in 2015 when she was about 11 months old. We've been through some stuff to say the least. And no matter what's going on, she has been by my side. Definitely a "who rescued who" situation because she has given me so much more than I could've ever imagined or hoped for. Our bond is something else. Something I've never had and something I've never seen anyone else have. She is my emotional support dog in every possible way. She was born for it. A simple sigh or deep breath, or a sniffle would make her look at me with concern and then come over to me and give me attention. Licks, cuddles, stares. We're so in tune to each other it's scary sometimes. Everyone who meets her instantly falls in love with her! And they see the connection and bond we have. It's truly a beautiful thing to experience and share. With this intense connection comes intense separation anxiety. With training (because I care) throughout her life and especially those younger years, she's gotten better in the sense that I can leave for work or whatever it may be and she'll be fine. Not pacing or looking for me, etc. However, my arrival home has always created the same reaction and this has never been a bad thing nor something I worked to improve/get rid of and it's also one of those things that's just in her DNA. She gets super excited when only I come home, not as much with other people. She doesn't jump (due to training) but she'll obviously start panting, whining, running back and forth, might grab a toy for me. Nothing concerning by any means, annoying sometimes yes. But that's just an example of our bond and how serious she feels things.

She has been a picture of perfect health since coming into my life. She was treated for skin mites when I first got her due to neglect from previous owners, but that's been it. So hitting these senior and super senior ages, I've been watching her even more closely for any signs of anything. All normal stuff like eyes, ears and some gut/digestive changes. This new issue which, still need to be officially diagnosed, but I've had many professional opinions, and my own amateur opinion, believe it is Laryngeal Paralysis (please Google for full understanding).

Within the last 3 months since our first vet visit about her changes in breathing and coughing, her symptoms have gotten worse, unfortunately. She's been to the vet multiple times, plus an ER visit this last Friday that maxed out my credit card. After that ER visit and the visit to our veterinary office the very next day, the 2 vets I spoke with were pretty confident in their diagnosis of Laryngeal Paralysis. One of the major issues we're having, is her hyperventilating. These hyperventilating episodes had happened a few times before, but it was like a couple bad breathes and then she was fine. Well, we're now at another turning point because on 4/24, when I got home from work, she got excited to see me as always. But with this LP (laryngeal paralysis) stuff, she hyperventilates easier, harder and longer. She stayed in this state for about 5-7 minutes. She was lathargic, couldn't walk straight or barely at all really, and was truly on the verge of losing consciousness. I picked her up to have her lay on my bed and have her mini cooling unit blowing on her full blast, plus put some water on her head and just tried to calm her down. Shortly after she was settled on my bed and felt that breeze, she began panting (full inhale and exhale) so the crisis was over. I still immediately made my calls and had her at the ER vet about 35 minutes later. Most terrifying thing I've had to experience with her (again, picture of perfect health all her life). And as I said, she's my first dog I've raised on my own, so all of this, especially the old dog stuff, is 100% new. And breathing issues are no joke. Seeing your "child" in a state of panic is the most terrifying thing I've had to experience in my life and I've been through some stuff.

So, I am now not working (luckily my job is very cool and understanding) and am home with her all day, every day. The other day however she had 2 episodes just from coming back inside from a potty break. We've made adjustments to our routine to help with this but I fear a bad episode and a rush to the ER might happen before Tuesday. I'm remaining optimistic, as much as I can, considering everytime she has a struggled breath or coughs, my heart skips a couple beats (literally).

I'm asking for donations of any size to help us with all things from gas to get us to these animal hospitals, to helping with the actual procedure/surgery. I don't have an estimate of what the procedure and/or surgery would cost, but will know once we've been seen (latest by 5/5). I do know the exam fee (just to be put in a room to be seen) will cost $250. Because of one credit card I already have (1st one ever and only had it for about 3 months), and my limited history of on time payments, I'm very limited on options for more credit cards or a significant loan (over $2,000). The other credit card I got approved for (which was supposed to be for a dental procedure I need) only gave me a limit of $300 and immediately took $75 for whatever. So this results in being denied during pre-approval for several other options. So that's what has brought me here. Again, I am in no way asking for large amounts, nor am I expecting to reach the goal posted, but I'm estimating what I think would be genuinely helpful (even to get a third of it would go a long way).

Kona is more than just a dog, she's family. Not just to me, but to anyone who knows her.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this, for your consideration, and potential donation. If any donors would like proof (receipts) of the usage of their donation, feel free to reach out and ask.