Help Us Save Niko: Emergency Surgery for Our Beloved Pup

Niko (short for Nikon — or sometimes Nicolas Cage, depending on the day) is a one-year-old Schipperke with enough energy to power a small sun. He lights up every room with his luscious mane, big smile, and even bigger bark. He’s our dedicated guard dog, zoomie champion, and above all, my very best friend.

But this past week, everything changed.

After some guests accidentally left the door open to the room with the cat’s litter box, Niko got into it and ate everything inside. Within days, he stopped eating and drinking, began vomiting, and became lethargic — he just wasn’t himself.

On April 15th, 2025, we rushed him to the vet. He was transferred between multiple hospitals as it was revealed that he had a large mass stuck in his intestines and fluid in his chest. He was showing signs of sepsis and his condition was critical.

Niko underwent emergency surgery where necrotic tissue had to be removed from his intestine and colon. His bowel was perforated, and we were told his chances were slim. Thankfully, he made it through. The surgery was successful, but came with a heavy cost — a $13,330 deposit just for the initial surgery and treatment. He remains under 24/7 care, with additional treatments like a plasma transfusion, advanced antibiotics, and monitoring still ahead.

We are starting this fundraiser to help cover Niko’s ongoing medical expenses and relieve some of the debt we had to take on to save his life. This all comes at a time when I’ve also been managing personal medical debt and other financial burdens.

We’re asking for your help — any amount makes a difference, and if you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this page. I’ve attached a copy of the initial estimate for full transparency and will continue to provide updates as Niko recovers.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support.