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Belikin, my 8-year-old rescue Labrador mix, helped our little family through its hardest days. Now I’m fighting to save his life.

I adopted Belikin from Muddy Paws Rescue in New York. His life hasn’t always been easy. He previously underwent surgery to remove one of his eyes, but despite everything he has endured, he remains the happiest, most loving dog, with an extraordinary affection for people.

Belikin is my psychological service animal and one of the most important members of my little family. He has carried me through some of the most difficult years of my life.

When I unexpectedly became a single mother shortly after the birth of my son, Quincy, Belikin was my constant source of comfort, stability, and companionship. Through an incredibly difficult period of personal change, he was always there.

He has since become just as important to my now two-year-old son, who has grown up with Belikin by his side. The three of us are our own little family, and I cannot imagine our lives without him.

In May, Belikin suddenly developed severe kidney failure. Since then, I’ve been traveling with him from Los Angeles to UC Davis for specialized hemodialysis treatments, initially three times a week and now twice a week. I’ve been making these trips while working full time and raising my son alone.

Despite the difficult odds of recovery, Belikin has kept fighting. Recently, we’ve finally begun seeing encouraging improvements.

His veterinarian in San Diego believes he is an exceptional case and that his continued treatment may offer opportunities to learn more about kidney disease and long-term dialysis in dogs.

Unfortunately, each treatment costs approximately $3,000, or $6,000 every week. I am reaching the limits of what I can financially sustain.

This has become an urgent, life-or-death situation. Without continued dialysis, Belikin’s condition could become fatal, even as he begins showing signs of progress.

I’ve reached out to numerous veterinary foundations and grant programs, but most are designed to cover one-time lifesaving procedures rather than ongoing treatments like dialysis. As a result, Belikin has repeatedly fallen outside their funding criteria.

I’ve established a fundraising campaign through Free Animal Doctor, where donations go toward his veterinary treatment rather than to me personally.

I’m sharing his story in the hope of reaching people who might be able to help keep his treatment going. Even sharing his story could make an enormous difference by helping us reach people beyond our immediate network.

Belikin has spent his life giving unconditional love to everyone around him, especially my son and me. After everything he has helped us through, I’m doing everything I can to give him the same devotion and care he has always given us.

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Story submitted by Courtney Wieland.

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!