My name is Leslie, I have a little Chihuahua named Carlos Santana; he goes by Santana. The love of my life adopted him for me before he died over three years ago. He was my high school sweetheart. When he went to adopt him, he said Santana was returned to SPCA for the seventh time, so Santana was meant for us and for me. He is my everything, and I am his everything. We go everywhere together, we are never apart! Santana has a degenerative disease in his knee, which causes him great pain. The vet explained our little trooper, eventually, will need surgery in that knee, because it causes him great pain at times.

I'm 64 years old.

I have COPD, Lupus and Fibromyalgia which has slowed me way down due to the daily breathing treatments and oxygen that I need daily. I've had three strokes.

I taught Special Education and I'm a child advocate in Oklahoma City for abused children. After the love of my life died, I made some bad choices. I got very sad and depressed and ended up marrying someone that I didn't know, after a week. It turned out to be the worst mistake in my life and the worst two years of my life. I had everything before I met him: a beautiful house, a car, and a decent life. Now, I have nothing; I've even ended up homeless with him. I have no contact with him and was granted a 5 year Victim Protection Order.

Because of some of the bad choices I made during that time after my love died, it's been the hardest thing I've ever been through. No one could have ever told me that I would end up in an emotional, mental, and sometimes physically abusive relationship. I thought I knew more and knew better, especially since I've worked with battered women for years. Unfortunately, I've allowed it to almost destroy my life. I have gotten into trauma recovery, and I'm going to lots of therapy. We moved to Paul's Valley about 6 months ago. Michael never worked a day since we got together. We have lived off what I receive from my disability. I lost my car, my home; I lost everything!

I have to take responsibility for my choices. I just didn't know who he was; he wasn't honest with me. He kept a lot of secrets, and I didn't find out until after I married him! I am trying to leave and get help at shelters and different places, but there's not much help here, and without any money, I'm not able to go anywhere and I do not have a car. I walk when I can or have to and I have a stroller I push little Santana in. Desperately, I'm working with a place called The Lighthouse here in Paul's Valley with lots of different therapy, but even they can't help me get out of the situation. I need help desperately. I need a car and money to be able to get a place by December 2, 2025.

There's so much I still want to do, at 64 years old, I still want to help a lot of people. I want the Earth to be better. I never dreamed I would have to ask people for help; I've always been the one to help others, but I'm begging. I need help; I have nowhere to turn. Please find it in your heart to help Santana and I to be able to have a better life and a Fresh Start. Thank you so much. God bless you for reading this. Santana says thank you too!!