Support Rosa's Journey to Recovery

Rosa Mae Balogun AKA Bubblegum AKA Bugaboo AKA Rosita AKA Boops has been my whole heart for the past seven years.

We met at Felines & Canines animal shelter in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago.

She had recently arrived there as a rescue dog from Alabama - just over a year old and having already given birth to a litter of puppies. To be totally honest: she was pretty disinterested in me when we first met. She didn’t dive into my lap or roll onto her back and demand belly rubs. She hardly even sniffed me at all. She just worked her way around the empty room we were in, minding her own business. And as a reserved life-long introvert, this resonated DEEPLY with me. I felt like this dog just GOT me. Not to mention her soft, alluring doughy brown eyes - eyes that I would grow accustomed to gazing into lovingly after I brought her home with me the next day.

As the months went on and we spent time together as a family, she let more and more of her unique personality shine. Like the way she “hugs” you by shoving her head into your body. The way her ears lackadaisically flop up and down when she walks. How she is deeply afraid of crossing any kind of raised threshold, but at the same time will square up with ANY goose or pigeon that looks at her funny. The way she forgets she’s a dog sometimes and will arch her back and purr under your legs like a cat. How she will choose to walk backwards when there is no readily observable reason to do so. How she will gladly entertain company for a few brief moments, but then politely excuse herself to her kennel so she can have her “me time.” The way she prances over when there’s something exciting happening. She is a kaleidoscopic myriad of oddities and quirks that have charmed every single person she’s come into contact with. She has been a constant in my life for the better part of a decade - through all the ups and downs, changes, growth, celebrations, and hardships, she has always been there with her doughy, dopey eyes. My baby. My boops. My best friend.

Three weeks ago, we came home from a concert at 1 AM and found Rosa collapsed on her side - catatonic and delirious. We rushed her to the nearest 24/7 emergency vet. Point of care diagnostics revealed that she was severely dehydrated, with fluid building in her abdomen, GI inflammation, and an enlarged liver. She was stabilized and after a few overnight stays she was discharged with the probable diagnosis of an anaphylactic reaction that would alleviate with time. But after a week of fluid continuing to build in her abdomen, that diagnosis was quickly debunked. A series of further costly diagnostic tests were performed, each of which came back negative. According to Rosa’s care team, our best shot at getting answers is through a CT scan, coupled with an invasive exploratory surgery to get a biopsy of her liver and GI tract. This comes at the hefty price tag of $13,000. We have already invested over $8,000 into Rosa’s care and are struggling to come up with a way to feasibly pay for this diagnostic procedure, not to mention whatever treatment she would need afterwards. And so it’s after great consideration that we turn outwards to the members of our community.

Whether you know Rosa personally, or have listened to me gush about her, or are a stranger who finds themselves equally smitten with her doughy brown eyes - if you have the ability to donate any amount to help us find out what’s causing her illness, it would be immensely appreciated. She is currently at home doing as well as she can…her belly is clearly distended and her appetite is quite diminished which has caused her to lose muscle mass. It’s extremely terrifying knowing how sick she is but having no idea what’s causing it.

Please, if you can spare it, truly any amount is helpful. It would mean the universe. Much love and gratitude xo