From the very first night I met him, Koda stole my heart. I drove all the way to Oregon to pick up this little chunk of fluff I found on Craigslist, and that night was full of ankle biting, endless energy, and sweet puppy breath cuddles. He taught me that Houdini had in fact been reincarnated into a Labrador puppy. Even with cabinet doors closed, he somehow managed to get to whatever was inside. He became my personal paper shredder and a straight-up T-rex with his favorite chew toy being anybody’s arm. He had the funniest quirks, like falling off the bed when his own snores spooked him and running so fast he couldn’t stop without crashing into walls. He was the cutest, silliest little terror and a companion who turned every day into an adventure.

Even as he ages, Koda keeps amazing me. We’ve shared countless cross-country road trips, spur-of-the-moment adventures, gorgeous hikes, quiet nights on the couch, and so many moments of laughter and love. At age 12, he still loves to drag “logs,” which are really whole trees, over for me to throw. He is friends with every human and, although selective, is a great best friend to his dog pals. He brings energy and joy to everything he does. He has taught me patience, how to enjoy the small things, and how to love and be loved. I know he has changed my life, and his love and energy leave a mark on everyone he meets. He has been my anchor in stressful times, my companion in quiet moments, and my motivation to keep going every day.

A few weeks ago, I noticed some unusual signs and took him in for testing. Koda has an abnormally large spleen that is causing a noticeable bulge in his side, along with other internal issues. He needs spleen surgery to remove the mass and prevent serious complications, including rupture. His vet is confident that after a few weeks of recovery, he will be back to his normal, happy self. Beyond this issue, his vet and all of his tests show that he is very healthy, which is a huge relief and gives us hope for a smooth recovery.

The surgery is expected to cost more than I can cover on my own. Any support, even $1, would mean the world and help Koda get the care he needs to keep living his happy, energetic life and continue bringing joy to everyone around him.

As he goes into surgery today, I am filled with hope, love, and gratitude for everyone who has been a part of building our story. Thank you for helping us make even more memories together. Koda isn’t just my dog; he's my heart and home. He’s the kind of dog who teaches you how to live, how to love, how to find peace, and somehow manages to steal everyone’s heart along the way.