Everyone thinks their dog is the perfect one; but when you live with panic attacks like I do, I truly cannot put into words how perfect Nova is.

When my therapist encouraged me to get an Emotional Support Animal, I told my wife I didn’t just want a dog… I wanted a dog that would hug me. Shortly after, while sitting at the ASPCA looking to rescue a pet, Nova slipped out of her leash, ran straight up to my wife, and quite literally wrapped her arms around her. In that moment, we knew. She chose us.

For the last five years, Nova has been our princess, our comfort, and our constant. She is not just our dog; she is family. She grounds me during panic attacks, senses when something is wrong, and gives unconditional love in ways I didn’t know were possible.

In November, everything changed.

Nova developed her first UTI. It wasn’t mild. She was bleeding clumps, and it was absolutely terrifying. A $400 emergency vet visit led to antibiotics and hope. Less than a month later, the infection came back; another vet visit, another round of antibiotics, another $400. We trusted the process. We did everything we were told.

Now, three months later, Nova is still suffering.

The vet says the next step is urgent: a $300 urine culture and $800 X-rays to find out what’s really going on. A total of $1,500 that we simply do not have; but without it, Nova can’t get the care she desperately needs.

The last two months of vet bills have pushed our family into financial crisis. We are behind on electricity, barely managing rent, and I’ve gone as far as selling my plasma just to keep us afloat. We are now planning a move back to Phoenix to escape the overwhelming cost of living in California and survive this financial strain.

I’ve even tried selling my car.

I am a full-time educator, doing everything I can, yet currently drowning in over $20,000 of debt; not including student loans. Asking for help is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, but watching Nova suffer while feeling powerless is even harder.

If you can donate, share, or even just send love our way; it means more than I can express. Nova has spent her entire life taking care of us. Now, we are fighting to take care of her.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. And thank you for helping us give Nova the chance she deserves.