Dearest friends, I need your help. Alright guys. I think I need to explain my absence. There are several things involved, but the most important factor was my beloved dog's sudden and serious health problems. As some of you know, Rufus is my best friend. We met on June 27, 2003 at the local SPCA. He had been abandoned in a kiddie pool with his nine siblings and was a mix of more dogs than we could count. I was immediately smitten. In reality, however, he chose me. He saw me from across the lawn and immediately strained to the end of his leash. Once I picked him up, I realized I could never let go. The past 12 years he has been a constant comfort to me through the hardest periods of my life. When I was diagnosed, he became as vital to me as my many medicines. He and I do almost everything together. I'm housebound for the most part and thus spend almost 24/7 with him, and for a little while I've noticed he's been declining. Well, it turns out he was declining because he had a massive tumor on his spleen. Earlier this week, it ruptured and he nearly bled to death. His amazing vet (why can't more doctors be like vets?) performed surgery on Wednesday to remove the tumor and the spleen and found no other tumors. Thanks be to God. It has, however, left his hoomins with a huge vet bill. I have no income since I am sick and am still trying to get SSDI. My mother recently retired and lives on a fixed income and is also applying for SSDI. If there is anyone who would be willing to donate to the cost of Rufus's surgery, pray for him, or simply share this page, I would be profoundly grateful. Being sick with lupus while my poor baby is also sick is incredibly hard on me, both body and soul, and any support in any form bolsters both of us. If you would like to donate or read more about Rufus's ordeal, please follow the link below. http://www.gofundme.com/RufusandHisSpleen Love, Hannah & Rufus🐾
