I’m a 7-month-old Chihuahua mix living in a shelter with my mom. We are currently experiencing homelessness, but my mom’s life didn’t always look this way.

She once had a successful career, earned a six-figure salary and owned a home. Then she developed a serious mental illness that caused years of frightening symptoms and eventually cost her the life she had built. Her savings were depleted, she lost her home and ultimately experienced homelessness.

After years of struggling with her mental health, my mom finally received treatment that helped. But rebuilding her life wasn’t easy.

That’s when I came along.

In my mom’s words, “When I got Star, my reason for living returned. She’s the wind beneath my wings who keeps me from getting depressed and keeps me focused on getting my good life back, to give her the life she deserves.”

A few weeks ago, my mom noticed something was wrong with me. I was barely eating or drinking and had lost so much weight that my ribs were beginning to show.

She immediately asked her social worker at the shelter for help. Her social worker shared resources with her, and that’s how she found Feeding Pets of the Homeless.

After completing an application, I was approved for assistance and my mom took me to an urgent care clinic. The veterinarian gave me fluids and medication for my nausea and ran tests to find out what was making me sick.

The results showed I had Giardia, a parasite that was making me very ill. Thankfully, I received medication to treat the infection and am now back with my mom recovering.

Feeding Pets of the Homeless contributed $729 toward my care.

My mom wants me to share this with you:

“The vet just notified me that Star has Giardia. I’m going to pick up the medicine today that will cure her. I asked the vet to show me the invoice and couldn’t believe that it was over $800 (before discounts). I teared up from the appreciation in my heart. I would not have been able to pay for a bill that is astronomically high. I shared my story so the wonderful people in your organization who are all responsible for saving Star know just how much this needed assistance was and get a sense for just how immensely grateful her mommy is.”

My mom is working to rebuild the life she lost, and I’m right beside her while she does.

Your support helps pets like me receive veterinary care and stay with the people who love them most.