UPDATE: JANUARY 26, 2024

Little DJ is growing up and is so loved by his family and our Canine Connection team. Sadly, he is still experiencing considerable medical problems, likely due to Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. He has had multiple visits for torn skin that does not heal normally (his skin is more fragile than tissue paper). He has been referred for knee surgery and that is likely upcoming. Your contribution to DJ's medical fund are so appreciated so his family, our Canine Connection teammates, can continue to seek the care they need for this beloved little guy. Every bit helps. Thank you.

UPDATE: OCTOBER 2, 2023

Hello, Friends, I want to give an update on sweet DJ. He is doing SO MUCH BETTER! While the cause of his sudden swelling remains unknown for sure, it appears that it may have been due to infection associated with one of the nicks on the top of his head. The antibiotics he is on for that appear to be working and, but for some continued swelling on the very top of his head near the wound/rupture site, he is back to his usual puppy self. The large wound on his shoulder, that prompted his first round of emergency vet care, appears to be healing up well. This is such good news!! Biopsy results for Ehler-Danlos have still not come back from the lab. This is a very special puppy and very special family. THE HELP OF ALL WHO DONATED IS SO APPRECIATED as is has helped reduce stress and allowed DJ to get care during this very difficult time. He still has some follow up care to go so please continue to send good juju for this very special guy and family. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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DJ (Dollar Junior) is Lindsay and John Dollar's new puppy. Lindsay is one of our amazing team members at The Canine Connection and DJ, adopted from NW SPCA in Oroville, is a darling little dude. And at this moment, he is a little dude in need of urgent medical care.

Prior to becoming the Dollar's dog, DJ was fostered by our friend, Nancy Kerns, first as one of a litter of puppies, then returned to Nancy from adoption row specifically because he was having health problems. His joints were swollen, he was limping, and little nicks on his body from living a normal puppy life - nicks that seemed to occur too easily - were not healing. During this time, as it seemed he was gradually improving, the Dollars saw a posting Nancy had made about him on her Facebook page, took him home for a weekend, and fell in love with this adorable, sweet guy. As a member of our staff team at The Canine Connection, Lindsay was excited that she and her family, including her husband and two boys, had found such a wonderful little pup who could become a part of their loving home and our Canine Connection world.

Before the adoption was completed, Nancy took little DJ to a veterarian to get his vaccinations finished so he could come to The Canine Connection. The astute veterinarian, Dr. Sandy Hazenow of Riverwood Veterinary Hospital in Chico California, looked at the constellation of symptoms and remarked that DJ might have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a rare disease of the connective tissue. Nancy conveyed what this might mean to the Dollars, but they had fallen in love with DJ and said they were committed to giving this little guy a home. Nancy wrote about the situation with DJ in a blog post for the journal she edits, Whole Dog Journal. You can read that blog post HERE.

Sadly, within a couple of weeks of his adoption (this week), DJ started having trouble. In the course of perfectly normal puppy play, he received a gaping wound requiring many staples to close (a symptom of Ehlers-Danlos is tissue paper-like skin). Today, a couple of days after that initial injury, DJ's face started swelling. The Dollars rushed him to Riverwood where Dr. Hazenow treated him all day without improvement. She referred him to Valley Oak where he is receiving further care during the evening and weekend hours. The cause of the swelling is unknown, and concerning. The poor little guy and his parents can't catch a break!

The Dollars are not in a position to absorb the medical costs that are ahead for DJ at this moment (and who knows what the future may hold?). They hadn't even had time to explore pet health insurance after adopting DJ and prior to all this occurring so do not have that security blanket as they try to get DJ stable now and ascertain what's in his future.

Will you please join with me in contributing to DJs medical fund? All monies raised will be used to get through this medical emergency then decide what options are ahead.

I held this little guy in my arms when I first met him and my heart melted. Now my heart is hurting for DJ and his family. Please, if you can, donate what you can. And if you are not able to donate dollars, please send light and prayers to the Dollars.

Sarah Richardson