Saving Athena

My name is Tom Dodd, and I am looking for help for the cost of Athena's recent adventure of several days of ICU care. This remarkably sweet and personable Great Pyrenees that I rescued a year and a half ago from euthanasia, suddenly lost the ability to walk last Friday night. Until Friday, she happily patrolled this ranch of retired horses, taking a long walk to the creek with me every day, and traveling pretty much anywhere I went in the back of my car. She was a happy dog, well loved. The local vet in Pescadero sent out a couple of strong women who helped me get her on a stretcher and into their van. Athena weighs at least 140 lbs. She and I spent two days in that clinic, but when the problems got too difficult for them to diagnose, they referred me to the Pacific and Santa Cruz Veterinary Hospital in Santa Cruz. Both places gave her great and compassionate care.

She had a badly swollen knee, a bladder infection, a heart arrhythmia, a high fever and shallow breathing. She also has general weakness in her hind legs. Antibiotics, heart meds, IV fluids, oxygen, and around the clock monitoring by a great staff. The veterinarians that I dealt with were all excellent, caring and frank. I wasn't at all confident that I'd bring her home alive. But, today I did. I have a regimen of 10 drugs and physical therapy to give her at home, but boy, is she happy to be home.

This was pretty expensive, for all the care and devices and drugs and fluids provided. I know that it would have cost much more at some other emergency clinics, it's totaling around $14,000 between the two clinics. Fortunately, I have some retirement funds from the Carpenters Union and really good credit, but it is putting a big hole in what I'm left to get by on this late in life. If my friends can help me get half of that back, I'd really appreciate it.

Athena looks much better today.