This is Oreo, our loving and spunky 6-year-old pit bull. She’s full of life, tail wags, and still has so much love to give. She’s been our joy, our family, and our loyal companion through thick and thin.

Oreo’s story began in July of 2019, when her mother, Claire, was rescued by the Sioux Falls Pit Bull Rescue. Shortly after being saved, Claire gave birth to a litter of 9 beautiful puppies—and that’s when we met Oreo. We adopted her from that very litter, and she’s been a part of our hearts and home ever since.

Back in October 2023, we found out that Oreo had swallowed a pencil sometime when she was younger—we’re not sure exactly when. The vet performed emergency surgery to remove it, along with her spleen. Recovery was tough, and she just never seemed quite herself afterward. We tried everything: switching foods, medications, and multiple vet visits.

Then, on August 30, 2024, Oreo woke up with a large, alarming mass on her side. X-rays initially pointed to bone cancer. But when the mass burst open, we rushed her to another vet in Tea, SD, who thought it might not be cancer after all. He put her on three antibiotics and prednisone.

For months, we carefully cared for the wound—cleaning, wrapping it daily with puppy pads, ace bandages, and a little T-shirt. Eventually, it healed… almost. One small spot still leaks, but Oreo remains her happy-go-lucky self. She plays, cuddles, and acts like the same sweet dog we know and love.

We recently traveled to Fargo for a CT scan—one of the only clinics nearby with the right machine. On July 15, 2025, we got the shocking news: there was another pencil still inside her. It’s lodged deep in her ribcage and wrapped through the bone. Removing it will require a complex surgery costing between $6,000 and $8,000.

We are heartbroken. Oreo has already been through so much, and we want nothing more than to give her the chance to live the happy, healthy life she deserves. But the cost of surgery is more than we can manage alone.

That’s why we’re reaching out for help. Every little bit—no matter how small—brings us one step closer to saving Oreo’s life. If you can’t donate, please consider sharing her story.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting Oreo. ❤️