Our Baron
Donation protected
Baron - our family dog. Granted, he has some of the worst gas at times that even he, himself, has to get away from his own aromas - but he’s by far the gentlest fur giant I have ever known. He was a rescue less than 10 years ago. Now - in attempt to NOT sound like a Sarah McLaughlin ASPCA commercial - let’s just say he was described as one of the worst cases of emacition the rescue had seen. “A tablecloth on a table” is an accurate description. The animal control that had found him and contacted the rescue just couldn’t see putting this guy down because his disposition and one floppy ear told them he had a great spirit. I went to meet Baron and I thought he was an absolute ham! He really only just saw a sucker for German Shepherds and won my heart, then upon arrival at his new home he ‘adopted’ my husband. I felt betrayed - a little, but hey we got us a great family member. Protective over our under 2 year old son at the time and best winter blanket you could ask for! Now fast forward to today...
I arrive home from work in the morning after working a night shift at the hospital. He’s panting and swallowing anxiously; pacing and extremely thirsty. I notice his stomach is distended and rather hardened on his left side. My biggest fear is bloat which is considered a major emergency. My vet and dear friend, who is out of town, was walking me through signs and symptoms and what to do. I hear gas bubbles and gurgling. She tells me to go NOW! I arrive at the Huntsville Veterinary Specialists & Emergency (HVSE) and bloodwork is normal - first hurdle accomplished. He has good spirits and is happy to see me as I tell him I’ll see him later because he IS going to pull through this exploratory surgery. His intestines are basically twisted. Having surgery for suspected intestinal volvulus. This can inhibit blood flow causing a cascade of issues and system failure. I don’t want to sound cliche and say “Now I don’t normally ask for help....” but there it is - I usually don’t. But at this point - without sounding like a pitty party - our family is beyond busted at the seams. I feel like we are being held delicately together by the same paper they use for piñatas. When piñatas get wet they just don’t hold up against the elements. My husband just graduated, but had to have shoulder and carpel tunnel surgery 2 weeks ago. Come July 21 I will have worked 2 jobs for 1 year. Something I am willing to do for the rest of my life if I have to, but I’m asking for a little reprieve. To ensure proper physical and occupational therapy we still need to keep our 3 year old in daycare. I’m writing this waiting for the phonecall from the Huntsville Veterinary Specialists & Emergency. I’ve put down over $2,500 so far on my credit card. It can go up to $4,500 in expenses. Thank you in advance for any help offered. And most of all, thank you for listening.
I arrive home from work in the morning after working a night shift at the hospital. He’s panting and swallowing anxiously; pacing and extremely thirsty. I notice his stomach is distended and rather hardened on his left side. My biggest fear is bloat which is considered a major emergency. My vet and dear friend, who is out of town, was walking me through signs and symptoms and what to do. I hear gas bubbles and gurgling. She tells me to go NOW! I arrive at the Huntsville Veterinary Specialists & Emergency (HVSE) and bloodwork is normal - first hurdle accomplished. He has good spirits and is happy to see me as I tell him I’ll see him later because he IS going to pull through this exploratory surgery. His intestines are basically twisted. Having surgery for suspected intestinal volvulus. This can inhibit blood flow causing a cascade of issues and system failure. I don’t want to sound cliche and say “Now I don’t normally ask for help....” but there it is - I usually don’t. But at this point - without sounding like a pitty party - our family is beyond busted at the seams. I feel like we are being held delicately together by the same paper they use for piñatas. When piñatas get wet they just don’t hold up against the elements. My husband just graduated, but had to have shoulder and carpel tunnel surgery 2 weeks ago. Come July 21 I will have worked 2 jobs for 1 year. Something I am willing to do for the rest of my life if I have to, but I’m asking for a little reprieve. To ensure proper physical and occupational therapy we still need to keep our 3 year old in daycare. I’m writing this waiting for the phonecall from the Huntsville Veterinary Specialists & Emergency. I’ve put down over $2,500 so far on my credit card. It can go up to $4,500 in expenses. Thank you in advance for any help offered. And most of all, thank you for listening.
Organizer
Nicole M Fain
Organizer
Harvest, AL
