Little Derek is an English Bulldog puppy born with health trouble.  I found him on craigslist from a breeder who seemed nice and legit, but whom we now believe intentionally breeds bulldogs with genetic disorders because they're cheaper to obtain, in order to turn a quick profit.

When he came into our lives we made a ton of changes to help him thrive, and he has! He's a boisterous happy boy who just celebrated his first birthday.

We fought hard to figure out his diet so he could finally handle food when tragedy struck and Derek's urethra prolapsed from unexpected bladder stone complications.

Discovering and coping with his digestive issues and sensitivities has been sobering and painful, but this guy is just straight up worth it all the way. 

Whenever I think back to those folks selling him, and taking our money while probably knowing the heartache we would go through, I have to relax and remind myself that Derek was already born with this condition when we found him, our ignorance didn't cause his suffering,  but it certainly caused ours, and we couldn't prevent his complications by never taking him into our family SO... 

So we're trying to keep him around  because he's our family. With a little luck and some financial help we may be able to turn it around and have more fun. I'm hoping he can learn to ride a skateboard. 

This was just a few days ago, after his first birthday, and likely due to genetic issues common to English bulldogs, not because he partied so hard on his birthday.  Even though he did party hard. 

It was so scary.  He just started bleeding copiously with no explanation. We made an appointment and tried to tell ourselves it could just be a bladder infection, but when the results came in, it turns out he has a life threatening prolapse.

Shelli and I were barely able to cover the cost of a procedure to attempt to stitch a catheter in place and help his tissue grow back in the correct shape, but it didn't work. They assure me Derek needs this surgery and we've already exhausted our resources on the first procedure.

The tests, catheter and medicine on Wednesday, March 3rd added up to $985.

In the next few weeks he will need
1) a surgery prep profile = $83
2) IVs and fluids during surgery = $272
3) Urethral Prolapse reconstruction = $1,250
4) Cystotomy (stone removal) = $515
5) Anesthesia for 3.5 hours = $541
6) Medicine for recovery = $87 

His Vet recommended we apply for a pet assistance programs and to raise some funds from family and friends because Derek can still totally grow up and have a happy life. The prognosis looks good with the procedure.

He really is a magnetic little personality and this little bulldog means so much to us. You would like him. Everybody does. 

We have to secure a time for his surgery soon. He can't keep going in his current state for long, but if we raise enough and also get assistance, he has a GREAT  chance.

There's a surgeon who goes through our vet, who also works with the pet assistance program, if we reach our goal we should be able to schedule the reconstruction and Derek should be okay to keep being a beam of friendliness for years and years.

Thank you so much for reading this, and if you can give a little to help us, thank you all the more. 

David, Shelli, and Derek.