For more than 40 years, Maeleska has been a force in the North Texas rescue community, dedicating her life to helping abandoned, abused, neglected, and forgotten animals. Countless dogs have been saved because of her heart and her determination to always show up when an animal needed help. But Maeleska never did it alone. Nick and Maeleska met in 1996 and quickly became inseparable. Nick, a talented musician and songwriter who played in several Dallas-area bands over the years, became not only the love of her life but also her biggest supporter. When Maeleska became deeply involved in animal rescue after Hurricane Katrina, Nick stood beside her every step of the way. Together they opened their home and hearts to hundreds of foster animals. At times they had as many as 15 dogs in their home, and Nick loved every one of them. Maeleska often says there is no way she could have saved as many animals as she has without her sweet boy by her side.

For the last six years, Nick has fought cancer with incredible strength and positivity through chemotherapy, radiation, hormone treatments, and clinical trials. But in February, they received devastating news: there are no treatment options left. Nick is now on hospice care. After nearly 30 years together, Maeleska is now facing the unimaginable — spending the final days with the love of her life while also carrying the crushing weight of reality.

Nick cannot be left alone, and because Maeleska works by appointment, every day has become an impossible choice: leave Nick at home so she can work and bring in income to keep the bills paid, or stay home by his side and lose the income they desperately need. No one should have to choose between caring for the person they love most and keeping a roof over their heads. No one should have to spend these precious final moments worrying about whether they can afford groceries, utilities, or the next bill coming due.

We want to help lift that burden so Maeleska can focus on what matters most right now: being by Nick's side, loving him, caring for him, and spending every precious moment she has left with him. For decades, Maeleska and Nick have spent their lives showing up for others. Now it's our turn to show up for them.