Hi, my name is Joe and I am hoping to garner donations to help my dog Beau's recovery while also donating every penny of surplus to non-profit animal blood banks. Beau is a yellow labrador who has brought happiness to the many faces he has come across. He will be turning 4 years old this coming 11/27.

My sister entered a horrific scene on Monday (11/7/2022) at around 8:30 am. Beau was found in my room vomiting immeasurable amounts of blood. I had already left for my responsibilities that day and could not drop what I was doing. With my sister and dad monitoring Beau and keeping me updated throughout the day to see if any improvement could be made, Beau had become increasingly limp and unresponsive. As each hour went by to see if his symptoms improved, Beau remained unlike his energetic and attentive self. He was unable to take more than a few steps at a time. As the day went on, I finally arrived home at 7 pm and was not greeted by the loud barking and excitement I usually would have received from him. Instead, I had to find where in the house Beau was. I entered the living room and saw him stand on all fours but with his head down and unable to make eye contact with me. At this point, the seriousness of this morning had grown alarmingly. Beau had laid down to rest on his side for an hour after I started monitoring him when suddenly his eyes opened wide and rolled back. His legs began to perform running-like motions while still lying on his side, followed by his body stiffening up as he began urinating. I am no professional, but I believe I had just experienced my dog having a seizure before my eyes. At his moment, I called my sister, and I scrambled to get Beau in the car for emergency help.

At 9 pm the only available help we could find was Healing Hearts Emergency Animal Hospital in Laguna Hills, CA. Beau had to be carried in and after a brief explanation of his clinical presentations that day to the vet tech, Dr.Berschauer and team went straight to work. 3 long hours were spent in the waiting room as they worked to stabilize Beau's condition. A staff member had guided us to an exam room by midnight and we met Dr. Berschauer and began investigating any possible explanation for Beau's condition. Beau had been cleared of any likely tumors, ulcers, and rat poison ingestion. Other possible reasons can include ingesting NSAIDs but my household's testimonials have ruled out even that. Thorough screening could not give us any leads to the source of the cause.

At midnight, it had been discussed that a possible blood transfusion would be put into play. Beau's hematocrit levels at admission was 13%. Normal for dogs is 35%. After discussing Beau's treatment plan and leaving Beau in Healing Hearts' hands, I received a chilling call an hour later from the hospital saying they were moving forward with an emergency blood transfusion. Shortly after his first blood transfusion, Beau's hematocrit levels rose to 26%. Just as things were looking great, Beau began a terrifying episode of bloody diarrhea all over the hospital floor. The doctor estimated at least a 2-liter loss or more. His hematocrit levels were down to 16%. The photographic documentation of the scene had led everyone to believe that the outcome would not look good.

As we entered the early 7 o clock morning of Tuesday, 11/8, I received another phone call from the doctor, being notified that Beau's prognosis was not the brightest as the night and early hours of the morning went on. Beau had come close to depleting the hospital's blood and platelet transfusion supply. I could not hold myself as I had to return to my responsibilities for the day, knowing I could not be by his side. Other possible treatment plans were discussed, as the supplies were primarily allocated to Beau. If Beau could not stabilize by the end of the day, things would get ugly. As I went about my day, I received another phone call at 11 am. Beau had continued having bloody diarrhea and was hitting the last bag of blood transfusion supplies. Everyone at the hospital was now restless as I was. I spent my lunch break trying to collect my emotions while also being unable to control them. I prayed and prayed for his second chance. I prayed not to receive another phone call from the doctor until I visited Beau that night.

Nighttime came around that Tuesday and I rushed to see Beau. As I entered the room, I found my boy with catheters hooked up to his paws but looking tremendously brighter since I had left him the night before. My prayers were answered and heard. Things were finally looking great. One of the biggest blessings and miracles in all my life. I had been informed that Beau had stabilized as Tuesday continued. I was told to remain cautiously optimistic about his condition. Many test screenings and vital checks were performed. We were finally all able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Some workers had worked a 24-hour shift to remain by Beau's side and ensure his vitals had stabilized. Tuesday ended with a bit of progress.

Wednesday comes around, and Beau is looking closer to normal now. Plans are already being arranged to bring him home very soon. The stool seems watery and, at times, solid at this point. Fortunately no presence of blood. The team's hard work and harsh clinical decision-making finally prevailed and improved Beau's condition. Many of the staff members are in shock at the comeback Beau has made at this point.

The intensive gastrointestinal bleed that Beau had endured was costly. We still have no known culprit to the issue. Staff members were inches away from using their certified pets to donate blood to keep Beau alive. As of now, Beau is back to his expressive and happiness-spreading self.

So with that, I politely ask for any help you can offer. Any donations or sharing of this story is just as helpful to me. The amount I have aimed for will entirely go toward his medical costs. Any money received after his medical expenses will be donated to non-profit animal blood banks to support other pets needing emergency blood transfusions. With Beau's story, I hope to raise awareness about how critical it is to research the purpose of non-profit animal blood banks and how they can potentially save your or a loved one's pet one day. Please, any donation or sharing of this story is much appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read Beau's second chance at life. He will continue meeting random faces and placing a smile on them. Whether you can help or not, please do me a favor and show your fur child some love. Their time with us is temporary as ours is with theirs. Every second spent with them counts.

Thank you, and God bless.