About the Campaign

Painful “Cherry Eye”

Shoyu is a 7-month-old Lhasa Apso with a playful spirit and one very red, uncomfortable eye. He has “cherry eye,” a condition where the gland in his third eyelid slips out of place. It’s not just cosmetic—it can get worse over time and lead to pain or even vision problems without surgery.

His owner, Arista, never planned to get a dog from a pet store. But when she saw Shoyu in a metal crate, something in her heart said, “I can’t leave him here.” She convinced her husband, Miguel, and brought Shoyu home, determined to give him a better life.

Since then, Shoyu has already had two painful ear infections, with over $700 in vet bills. And now, he needs eye surgery. Arista first noticed the issue while gently cleaning his face and blamed herself—only to learn from the vet that it’s a common condition that needs surgical repair.

Arista and Miguel are doing all they can. Miguel is enlisted in the U.S. Navy, currently serving aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford and preparing for his next deployment. Shoyu was meant to be Arista’s comfort while Miguel is away. Now she’s juggling school and trying to apply to nursing programs—while worrying about how to afford the care Shoyu needs.

Their Care Credit application was denied, and the estimated cost of the surgery is out of reach right now. If you can help, your donation will go toward giving Shoyu the treatment he needs to be happy, healthy, and pain-free. All donations are paid to the vet, and no fee is taken out! Here is the diagnosis and estimate, click to enlarge: