Harlee is a ten-year-old Maltese mix in Sanford, ME, who needs $650 for kidney disease testing.

"Harlee came into our lives almost six years ago, and it was love at first sight," Alex R., her human mom, tells Waggle. "She was four years old and had lost her previous owner when they passed away. She was scared and in need of some love and grooming, but we got her cleaned up and have given her as much love as anyone could ask for. I have two human children, but she is my child, too."

Recently Harlee has been sick with some urinary issues and needs more tests to figure out the culprit. "We have run as many tests as we can afford," Alex says. "Her vet highly recommends an ultrasound of her kidneys; that is where she suspects the problems lie. Her blood levels are elevated, and we are concerned it could be early-stage kidney disease. But we can't know for certain without these tests. The Ridge Animal Hospital has treated us like family through this process."

Alex launched this fundraiser for Harlee because her family is having trouble affording the additional diagnostic tests. "Finances are always tight in our home, but we manage. We've spent $600 on her care thus far and have run out of resources for additional testing. Once we have all the answers we need, we can get her on the right treatment so she can continue well into her golden years," Alex says.

Harlee is a massive part of the family, and they are desperate to get her the medical attention she needs. "Harlee loves sleeping under the covers at night," Alex says. "She loves everyone and is always super excited to go out to see our family. My mother calls her 'grand puppy.' Harlee gets terribly anxious home alone, so she rarely is. She has a doggy car seat she rides in and a backpack carrier for when we're out shopping. I help ease her anxiety, and she helps ease mine."