Hello Friends, family, kind strangers and all other dog lovers...

I will not talk about me much except to say that 2025 was tough. I hit the bottom in a lot of ways. And finally in November, I got a great job, and for my birthday, my best friend got me Paul. Paul is currently a 9 month old Doberman Pinscher. He knew I needed a dog. And Paul needed a home. We knew he had a heart murmur when we got him. He was 7 months old then.

Paul was and is the sweetest and happiest little guy. He appears to be really healthy and normal. He only wants to play and love on everyone he meets. He's small for a Doberman, the runt if his litter, but he's also still young and barely in his dog adolescence. We quickly bonded and I decided to have Paul trained at a high level. Even though I do not need a service animal, I thought Paul would have the best life if he was trained to this level.

One of the requirements of the trainers was to have the heart murmur checked prior to starting. Did that. The vet confirmed Paul's murmur and strongly recommended a visit to the cardiologist. So I immediately made an appointment. Paul started his training and has been progressing really well. He's a very smart dog and only wants to be and make people happy. Yesterday we finally had our appointment for his EKG, ECG and other tests. It was just over $2500. And it finished all my available credit.

The results of Paul's tests ended up being more than a heart murmur. While that is the case, and will need another diagnosis on the future, it was much more serious. Paul was born with a defect called PPDH. it's a very long term, but what it basically means is that there is a hernia in the membrane that keeps the organs in the abdomen where they belong. Next to Paul's heart, his liver, small intestine and gallbladder have fallen into his chest cavity and are constricting his heart.

This condition is treatable with surgery. I was quoted a cost of $6-10k to put everything back where it belongs. Bottom line, I don't have it. I can't save the dog that was saving me in the time that he has to be saved. I'm gutted. I'm ashamed to be on this platform, hat in hand, reaching out for help. My heart breaks every time I think of his insides being all scrambled. And that at really any moment he could go from being a happy puppy to needing emergency surgery or even just falling. He was not eligible for pet insurance for this condition because it has always been pre-existing.

The world is a happier place with Paul in it. I'm a better and more decent human being having Paul with me. Paul has a good prognosis of a normal life post-surgery. He makes everyone smile that he comes into contact with and deserves to live. Please help us. For me, it is an issue of time. I don't have time to save up this money. I will pay it forward to other dogs in need. I thank you for both of us for your kindness, generosity and network. I know times are hard for all of us, so even if you aren't able to help us directly, maybe one of your contacts can. I truly appreciate all forms of help.

I will post updates and pictures/videos as we go forward. And hopefully as the recovery is progressing. We have a month or less to meet our goal. Paul needs this. I need Paul.

Thank you all so much.