Help with Nattie's End-of-Life Care Costs

On 9 July, I said goodbye to my dog, Natalie.

Natalie had diffuse cancer that the doctors said was very resistant to treatment. It was causing her chest and abdomen to fill with fluid, which was obstructing her breathing. I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a few, final, peaceful days at home with her before it was time to put her to rest.

Unfortunately, the diagnostics and end-of-life care surpassed my fairly modest savings. I’m a freelance writer and editor without recurring, stable income, so I could be carrying the debt for a while. That’s why I’m asking for—and grateful for—whatever help I can get.

From whatever funds I raise, I’ll set aside 10% to purchase and print copies of Jeeyon Shim’s game Have I Been Good? and donate them to the local veterinary clinics that cared for Natalie. I played HIBG? with Natalie on our eleventh adoption anniversary, and it was one of the best days we ever spent together. Every person and dog should play it, so I want to make copies available for people who may otherwise never know about it. You can read more about it in my review .

If funding surpasses the medical and HIBG? costs, all the extra money will be donated to the Shakespeare Animal Fund , a local nonprofit that that helps pay for life-saving veterinary care. Making sure other pets live long, happy lives is the best way I can imagine to honor Natalie’s memory.

About Nattie

Natalie was my first dog. I adopted her on 1 June 2010, when she was about 6 months old. A friend of mine found her and another dog, presumably her brother, wandering down the road. At the time, I was rooming with two people who both had dogs, so adopting a puppy was a logical choice—and one that completely changed my life.

She was presumably a terrier mix with maybe some red heeler and basenji as well. She had a wonderful, friendly disposition, and she loved playing with other dogs, going for long walks and runs, and sleeping in the sun. She gave me emotional support, love, and purpose through many difficult times, and I gave her the best care I could, helping her overcome pancreatitis and severe renal cystitis that required two surgeries to resolve.

At her passing, I had spent more than a third of my life with Nattie—thirteen incredible years of companionship. She is still with me in spirit, gone but never forgotten.