Hello, my name is Martin Hayden and I’m writing this on behalf of my beloved dog, Eagle.

Eagle and I at Hole in the Rock.

On October 18th,2023 I was driving home from work when I spotted him on the side of Interstate 10 in the desert west of Phoenix, AZ. I pulled over immediately ran across the highway to where he was. I found him there a bloody mess standing guard over his dead friend, a small black dog that was previously killed by a car. He wouldn’t leave her so I risked reaching down to pick up this dog and he allowed me and just went limp in my arms as I ran him back to my truck. In that moment my life was forever changed. This small brown dog with his one eye, torn ear, torn up paw, covered in dried blood and cuts had won my heart. He was pure skin and bones. When we got home I fed him and gave him a safe warm place to sleep. I knew it was the first time in his life he had ever received love. I took him to the vet and they fixed up all his wounds. Upon receiving blood work it was determined that he has what is called Valley Fever, a fungus infection that gets into the blood/respiratory system and that his liver enzymes were high. As his external wounds healed he became the shinning light in my life.

His first night sleeping inside

I could not sleep that first night knowing she was still out there on the side of the highway. The next day at work, I was able to get help from some coworkers to slow traffic down enough so I could stop and recover his dead friend. I was able to get to her and I took her into the desert and gave her a proper burial at the base of a saguaro cactus. So she could properly sleep forever ina beautiful spot.

The spot where I burried Eagle’s deceased companion.

To add to the lore of Eagle, my boss once saw him in the desert near where we work in March and he wouldn’t go come to her. Somehow he had been surviving in the Sonoran Desert in the heat of the summer where temperatures never dropped below 100 plus degrees for 40 plus days and peaked at 126° for 9 some months before I found him. Living and fighting for his survival.

The first photo of Eagle, taken March 2023.

Three months later and a couple mystery medical problems such as stomach issues and vommiting his veterinarian referred us to get an ultrasound of his liver to get a look at what is going on. He seems very fine other than random bouts of stomach issues. He continued being active, begging to go walks and his favorite, hikes.

On a hike in Sedona, Arizona

The ultrasound on his liver was scheduled for Wednesday January 24th, however Tuesday night he started dry heaving and I was concerned so I took him the emergency clinic.

X-ray taken on 1/23/24 showing his organs all inside his chest.

The veterinarian took x rays of his stomach to see if he was suffering from a serious condition called Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus. Which is where the intestines get wrapped and create a blockage. When the results came back the veterinarian entered the room in shock. She informed that Eagle’s organs were not in his abdomen but in his chest cavity. He is suffering from a condition called a diaphragmatic hernia. It is suspected he must of been hit by a car at some point which is leading cause of blunt force trauma causing a tear in the diaphragm causing his organs to get sucked into his chest cavity. The vet was in shock that he is still alive and so active with the injury. Somehow this dog has been able to live and survive with this undiagnosed injury which is an absolute miracle.

Eagle recovering from a stressful night at the emergency clinic.

This has came to an absolute shock due to how active and playful he is. He loves going for hikes, meeting new people and making friends with everyone that crosses his path.

He loves his car rides.

As I swallow my pride writing this I am asking for your help to help me cover the cost of his coming surgery to repair the hernia and get his organs out back in place. I’ve already spent thousands of dollars in medical care for this dog. This procedure is estimated to cost at least $8000 due to the complexity of this. They will have to put him on a ventilator and open his chest cavity to repair this injury. I’m trying to figure out every way I can to find this surgery so any help is greatly appreciated.

I hope you find it in your hearts to help Eagle and myself. This dog is truly an angel to me and came to me at period of my life that had deeply needed the joy and love he has brought me. Please consider us at this time.

Eagle loves his naps.