Meet Ms. Riley!

 She is my 81-year-old disabled Mother's registered Emotional Support Animal and a dearly beloved family member. Riley has 3 tumors, 2 of which are the size of golf balls. One is soft on her left flank, and the other is soft on the back of her left hind leg behind the knee, it is growing and now interfering with her walking. The third tumor is the most concerning, as it is hard, the size of a large melon, and still growing, posing a serious risk of rupture.

 Despite this, she appears to be healthy and acts like herself mostly, aside from being unimaginably uncomfortable and limping, she is amazingly strong. This has happened over this last year mostly in the past 10 weeks. She will require office visits, testing, etc., and if operable multiple surgeries. We are in dire need of assistance with her veterinary costs.

 We subsist only on my mother's S.S. widow's pension. I am 54, her 24/7 caregiver, am disabled but not eligible for S.S. disability benefits. We live in an income-based senior apartment complex and exist paycheck to paycheck as so many of us have to do these days. We understand how tough times are and wish we did not have to make this plea, but we are running out of time.

 Ms. Riley has been an integral piece of our family since she showed up on our doorstep in 2016 when we instantly fell in love with her. My mother had a serious stroke in 2018 and was in the hospital and then rehab for 36 days. While she was away Riley went into mommy nesting mode, she would gather all her toys (6) and then lay with them on the couch every day until Mother returned. Ever since she has kept a close eye on Mom and if she is upset, Riley stands in her wheelchair and gives her kisses to calm her down.

 In 2023 Mother fell very ill and was immobile for a weekend, Riley and our rescue lab mix 60 lb. puppy "Maggie 2" lay in bed with her most of the time until she went to the hospital. Where again Ms. Riley went into nesting/mommy mode this time including the 60 lb. puppy!

Thank you all for your time and consideration to help save Ms. Riley.

Sincerely,

Michael, Sandra, Riley, and Maggie 2.

UPDATE

 Riley has an appointment scheduled on October 10th to be evaluated for surgery at Hewitt Animal Hospital by a traveling specialty surgeon @ Monarch Pet Surgery www.monarchpets.com. I have an estimate for just the surgery of $4000 to $5000 if operable, in addition to the testing, x-rays, biopsy, etc. Once I receive an official quote I will be applying for grants to help as well. Also, the Human-animal support coalition adores Riley and is working with us. Two ladies who live here at our complex are helping. One is organizing a photo shoot of pets and their humans as a fundraiser, and the other makes beautiful handmade wreaths and is offering to donate one for auction.

 "All pets are emotional support animals"