Give Nudge a Chance

Hi. We’re Halle and Garrett, owners of little guy Nudge.

We rescued Nudge in early January 2025 from Hellen Woodward Animal Center when he was 15 weeks old. We’d been waiting years to be financially and living-situation ready for a dog. We even moved this past month to have a yard (and thats not easy or affordable to do in LA). To say he’s lit up our life is an understatement.

A week and a half after a routine puppy checkup and vaccine, Nudge is in critical condition from immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). This rare autoimmune disorder encourages his body to attack his own red blood cells. The outcome for IMHA ranges from “a long healthy life post-treatment” to flat out fatal. All of that depends on how a dog responds to the first round of treatment.

Nudge is currently beginning treatment for liver issues, pancreatitis, and receiving steroids, blood thinners, immunosuppressants, and blood transfusions (among other things) in an attempt to get him through this first round of treatment. If he pulls through this his likelihood of living drastically improves. But it all depends on this first chance. Even with $10k saved for dog emergencies and his insurance coverage on top of that, we are running up to the end of our line when it comes to financing his medical care. And fast.

Like many lucky dogs, Nudge is more than our pet. He’s our family. He also plays a critical role in our house. I, Halle, have spent years learning how to manage severe anxiety and depression. Nudge’s name doesn’t just refer to his gentle nose-pushes. He’s my motivation to get out of bed and walk in the sunshine when I’m so down I’d rather stay hidden all day. He’s expanded my community ten-fold. I’ve met more people in my short time with him than I have in the past 3 years of living in Los Angeles. When he drinks water I drink water. When he wakes up happy and excited for every new day, I do too. He’s my nudge to get out there, to do better, for him and me. He lives up to the name.

I know there are so many causes worth supporting that impact far more than our little family. We’re fortunate to even have the ability to give our puppy a fighting chance at a full life. That said, it’s a huge sacrifice. We are gently extending an ask

to our community for contributions to help us extend the care we’re able to provide during this critical period. Nudge has a fair shot at remission — hope is not lost yet.

Thank you to everyone rooting for us. We feel it. We love you.