Hi everyone,

This is my girl, Lilly. And she has had a very tough week.

Lilly accidentally swallowed a small piece of wire—likely from a grill brush—that was stuck in some food. That tiny piece of wire caused massive damage. It traveled through her stomach wall, with one end embedded in her stomach and the other scraping against her liver, trying to make a home there.

I’ve been a vet tech for over 20 years, so at first I tried to medically manage her symptoms. After 3 long days in the hospital—countless X-rays, IV fluids, pain management, ultrasounds and trying everything to get her to eat—it became clear that it wasn’t enough. The wire wasn’t going anywhere on its own.

So, together with the surgeons, we made the call to operate.

At the time, we didn’t even realize the wire had already begun working its way through her stomach wall.

Lilly is only a 9-pound chihuahua, but she is my whole heart. Her surgery lasted 3 long hours… and she fought like a champion. She pulled through.

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A little backstory about Lilly Anne…

I got Lilly after my first rescue chihuahua passed away suddenly. Around that time, I was in a very abusive relationship. One day, I was beaten and left for dead. Lilly—just 3 pounds at the time—laid on top of me and stayed there until help arrived.

She saved my life without even knowing it.

For the past 7 years, she has been my ride or die. My best friend. My safe place. My therapist. My everything.

And now, it’s my turn to fight for her.

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I know some people may think, “You’re a vet tech—you get discounts.” And yes, I did receive some help, but even with that, Lilly’s medical bills have reached $3,000—and could continue to rise depending on her recovery and hospital stay.

Those of us in vet med don’t do this for the money—we do it for the love of animals. But right now, life is hitting hard, and I’m asking for help.

I never thought I would be in this position, but anything—truly anything—will help Lilly heal and get back to her happy, people-loving, crazy self.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story, for your support, and for loving Lilly with me.

❤️