Hello and thank you for reading mine and my baby’s story or as I call it, the miracle, of my beloved Shih Tzu, McLovin.

McLovin is the love of my life, my constant companion. His spritely, playful, and unconditionally loving nature keeps me young and joyful with a positive outlook. If we’re together, life is good.

In mid-May, out of nowhere, McLovin’s health took a shocking turn, he became a shell of himself, started vomiting profusely, and, frightening of all, was uncontrollably trembling. On a Sunday, I rushed him to the emergency vet and that same night, they performed life-saving surgery to remove his gallbladder. He had Gallbladder Mucocele, a condition caused by a blockage of the cystic duct. Surgery was the only way to save his life.

After surgery, his liver levels were extremely high indicating more blockage and putting him in life-threatening danger again. His vet bill was already an eye-watering $22k and the options I was given were another surgery, or putting him down. I’ve never been put in this situation before wherein I had to choose to end my baby’s life because of astronomical vet costs. A recent New York Times article on pet care highlighted this awful plight happening to so many pet owners. It’s so unbelievably hard! I know he’s not going to live forever but, I knew deep down that McLovin wasn’t ready to go; he’s a tough little cookie. I pleaded we give him one more day and then decide. Miraculously the following day, his levels significantly reduced and he was on his way to a cautious recovery. He stayed in ICU for a week, and all told, the bill totaled a breathtaking $29,603.98.

Thankfully, I thought at the time, McLovin has pet insurance coverage with Nationwide, a policy that I diligently and happily paid since he was eight weeks old at $185 a month. So, when Nationwide, came back reimbursing a measly $3,860, I was distraught and in disbelief. I immediately appealed, and they responded with a new concession for a grand total of $8,465.00 leaving my out-of-pocket expense as $21,138.98. Having received a very generous donation from a dear friend, I am now left with a remaining figure of $19K. This GoFundMe campaign is to cover that balance.

I so humbly thank you for considering any donation and, if you cannot donate at this time, please pass this along to other dog lovers and compassionate souls in our community.