Rio... The Miracle Dog
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Rio is a very special dog that joined our family back in October 2012. We adopted him from 100+ Abandoned Dogs of Everglades Fl. The story of his puppyhood was quite sad and heartbreaking. He had lived in a metal cage for about three years, rarely ever being let out, enduring rain and heat without relief. Yet from the moment we saw him and took him for his first walk ever, we were connected.
Once he was introduced to the pack, his rescue dog brothers Taz, Marley and Lucky, it took time, patience, training and family team work to build up Rio's trust in humans' and his own self confidence. Within months he became a vibrant smart and fun loving dog and, most importantly, a member of our family!
Early this year, though, is when we started to notice Rio's weight loss. Then came the excessive vomiting and increase in "accidents" he was having.
He also started to slowly go into a shell, hiding his pain from us. We took him to our family veterinarian, to confirm what we all feared - cancer.
Immediately, we sprung into action and moved him to an animal cancer clinic. The team there was incredible, both in their compassion and the way information was provided. A lot of love and understanding, dosed with the subtle reality of Rio's situation.
Surgery was scheduled on Monday August 24th 2015. He made it through, though his recovery was slow and complicated. Yet Rio's desire to live and reunite with his family was his driving force. Against all odds he recuperated enough to come home. Afterwards the surgeon and nurses confided that they thought Rio was not going to survive the operation and much less make it home. They call him "Miracle Dog" and posted his picture on the entrance wall of their office as well as on their social media site.
It is now several weeks from his surgery and Rio is coming back strong. He is gaining weight and his personality is more vibrant than ever. Like a puppy that was re-born!
Yet to keep him healthy and happy, Rio has to continue a course of cancer care that is quite expensive. Every three weeks he is receiving a conventional chemotherapy (carboplatin) and targeted therapy (Palladia). The treatments are $750 each application. In addition Rio has to get a sonograms and x-rays, every 90 days, to monitor for any tumors that hopefully never flare up. This is another $300.
Our love for this incredible "Miracle Dog" is deep. We wish to continue to give him the love and life that he was robbed of as a puppy. We want to extend his life for as many years as God will allow, for we receive as much love and life from him as he does from us!
Once he was introduced to the pack, his rescue dog brothers Taz, Marley and Lucky, it took time, patience, training and family team work to build up Rio's trust in humans' and his own self confidence. Within months he became a vibrant smart and fun loving dog and, most importantly, a member of our family!
Early this year, though, is when we started to notice Rio's weight loss. Then came the excessive vomiting and increase in "accidents" he was having.
He also started to slowly go into a shell, hiding his pain from us. We took him to our family veterinarian, to confirm what we all feared - cancer.
Immediately, we sprung into action and moved him to an animal cancer clinic. The team there was incredible, both in their compassion and the way information was provided. A lot of love and understanding, dosed with the subtle reality of Rio's situation.
Surgery was scheduled on Monday August 24th 2015. He made it through, though his recovery was slow and complicated. Yet Rio's desire to live and reunite with his family was his driving force. Against all odds he recuperated enough to come home. Afterwards the surgeon and nurses confided that they thought Rio was not going to survive the operation and much less make it home. They call him "Miracle Dog" and posted his picture on the entrance wall of their office as well as on their social media site.
It is now several weeks from his surgery and Rio is coming back strong. He is gaining weight and his personality is more vibrant than ever. Like a puppy that was re-born!
Yet to keep him healthy and happy, Rio has to continue a course of cancer care that is quite expensive. Every three weeks he is receiving a conventional chemotherapy (carboplatin) and targeted therapy (Palladia). The treatments are $750 each application. In addition Rio has to get a sonograms and x-rays, every 90 days, to monitor for any tumors that hopefully never flare up. This is another $300.
Our love for this incredible "Miracle Dog" is deep. We wish to continue to give him the love and life that he was robbed of as a puppy. We want to extend his life for as many years as God will allow, for we receive as much love and life from him as he does from us!
Organizer
Rio Gonzalez
Organizer
Hollywood, FL
