This sweet boy was Boone—my mom’s dog, her constant companion, and a deeply loved member of our family. Yesterday, we had to say goodbye to him. Boone was suffering from kidney disease, and after weeks of tests, vet visits, and trying everything possible to help him, we were told there was nothing more that could be done.

Over the past few weeks, my mom, Cindy, incurred a significant amount of vet bills while trying to figure out what was wrong and then attempting to save Boone. She works as a cafeteria worker at a high school, and paying off these unexpected expenses will take her a long time.

If you know anything about my mom, you know she would give someone the shirt off her back if they needed it. She never asks for help, and we wouldn’t usually do something like this—but I would love to take this burden off her shoulders if we can.

The past year (and honestly, the past couple of years) has been incredibly hard on her. She’s been through a divorce and is still in the process of selling the house she lived in for 20 years. At the beginning of last year, she had to put her sweet dog Lucy down, and when she moved into her new place, her beloved cat Stella got out and was lost in the unfamiliar area. Losing Boone on top of everything else has been heartbreaking.

Any amount—whether through donating or sharing—would mean more than we can put into words. Thank you for reading, for your kindness, and for helping us support someone who has always put others first