Most names have an origin, and the name Zoey comes from a Greek origin meaning, “life.” And Zoey is just that. She is truly the life of her family.

For the past week Zoey has been in and out of the vet with various appointments and procedures ranging from blood draws to multiple X-rays and ultrasounds. The tests lead to a diagnosis by all the vets she saw: a herniated disc in her back. Things got more severe when Zoey started to wobble and drag her back leg. She was rushed to the emergency vet for an MRI and that confirmed the herniated disc diagnosis with a 60% compression. The only remedy for this is spinal surgery to decompress the spine. Which is as scary as it sounds. Zoey had surgery on Friday, October 17th, and is recovering beautifully and already regaining her strength. She will stay at the emergency vet for multiple nights so help keep her pain level managed. Which is heartbreaking on many levels, but because of COVID her family isn’t allowed to go visit her.

This is the beginning of the battle as recovery from this type of procedure is ongoing and intense. What else is intense is her medical bills. As you can imagine, spinal surgery is not cheap. So far Zoey’s medical bills are at $10,000 and climbing. Even once she’s released from the hospital there will be more expenses rolling in as she continues an at-home a pain medicine regimen, follow-up appointments, and rehab therapy to help her regain her strength. The family will also have to turn their home upside down as they prepare for her homecoming and figure out how to manage her recovery with her two very helpful twin siblings (Maisy and Manu) and an overly helpful puppy nephew (Dallas). Life will be hectic and stressful as they manage their new normal.

Help us give this sweet family their life back. Help us give them their Zoey back.

*If you'd like to donate via Venmo please send to Zoey's mom Doreena Lopez: @dogmom20