00:00We lost my dad less than three months after I got married. He died here and something was missing.
00:08But I also wanted to say thank you to my husband. He'd always wanted a dog.
00:11We found JD, brought him home and because his eight-week date was the anniversary of my dad's passing, he's
00:20actually named after my dad.
00:21JD quickly became a much-loved member of this Gillingham family, helping to bring some comfort during a period of
00:28grief.
00:29But in November 2021, he was rushed to the vet with repeated nosebleeds, where his condition was beyond their care
00:36and referred him to a specialist for £3,000.
00:40He was later diagnosed with IMTB, a life-threatening condition where the immune system destroys platelets, starting a long battle
00:48with ongoing treatment costs.
00:51Since then, JD has been in and out of veterinary care and has recently suffered another relapse.
00:56So this is JD. He's just returned home after spending some time in intensive care.
01:01But the costs have gone beyond his insurance cover now.
01:05So owners are asking the community for some help.
01:09JD's insurance does not renew until the end of July.
01:12And his latest hospital stay is expected to cost more than the £10,000 of cover available.
01:18But he still needs ongoing treatment.
01:20So Julie and her husband, Robert, are asking people to help by donation.
01:26He is my child.
01:27I can't have kids. We can't have kids.
01:29We're not lucky enough to be able to have kids.
01:31Our hand was dealt that way.
01:34And other circumstances mean other paths are currently open to us to have that opportunity to give that love.
01:40These are my children.
01:43These are my everything.
01:46And when they're hurting, and I hurt as well.
01:50And then to see how she was deteriorating as well, because she was missing him.
01:56And I started getting scared that was she going to go before he come home?
02:02And then was I going to lose both of them?
02:05People giving their hard-earned money when we're dealing with all of this.
02:09That's going to allow me next week to make sure he's got his blood test.
02:15Because this has taken everything we've had.
02:17Julie's family are calling for greater awareness of the disorder, saying it could help save lives.
02:23Now, despite everything, J.D. continues to fight on, surrounded by his family's love.
02:29And for Julie, that's what matters most.
02:32Maisie Walker for KMTV.
02:34Jillingham.
02:35Jillingham.
02:35Jillingham.
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