Hewwo! My name is Ziggy Stardust, but my friends call me Dusty, so that means you can too! There is a good chance you may know me. I have 6 siblings running around the coast, we obnoxiously frequent the pet food store for weigh ins almost weekly. Or perhaps I have offended you by barking at you (sorry, it's that whole stranger danger thing!) There's also a good chance I may have accidentally-on-purpose stuck my tongue in your ear for a friendly wet-willy. If we haven't met, I'm a 6 month old Chihuahua/Pug/Boston Terrier (Buggwawa?) mix and I'm told I'm pretty great...and who am I to argue ;-)

Well, I bet you're all wondering why you're here visiting this page that my mommy and Auntie Athea have set up for me. I was very recently diagnosed with what's called a PDA (patent ductus arteriosis) which is a birth defect in the heart. It is caused by incomplete changes in the heart's circulation when a dog is born. The ductus arteriosus is an important blood vessel that ensures that blood does not go to the lungs unnecessarily as the fetus is developing in the uterus. During the first few hours after birth, this blood vessel naturally closes off. In some puppies, like me, the ductus arteriosus remains open (patent). This results in serious, life-threatening changes in the way that the heart pumps blood through the heart and to the rest of the body. The way to fix this, is to have surgery.

I'm here today to ask for some help to fix my broken heart. If you are able to help, there is no amount too small. If you cannot financially help, all I ask is for you to please send some good, healthy juju and vibes my way :-) thank you so much for visiting my page and getting to know me a little bit better.