The Story of Oonagh the Rottie.

Let me introduce you to Oonagh (pronounced “UNA”)

On March 13th, 2019, I brought her home two weeks earlier than expected because the world was shutting down. She was only six weeks old. I have always loved dogs and seem to get the ones that need special attention; Oonagh is no exception. I chose Oonagh because of the million-to-one odds that her dog's parents' names happened to be my parents' nicknames! Chief and Nina! How crazy is that? I just had to have her!

I already had Thunder, my American Bully that I had rescued years earlier. He was awesome and very missed. He immediately fell in love with Oonagh. A short time before I brought Oonagh home he had been diagnosed with liver disease. He was pretty sick at the time. I truly believe she extended his life; she brought him so much fun and companionship. He loved her crazy but sweet personality and played as much as he could.

I knew immediately she was a little different. She was adorable but super hyper, she could never settle down. I thought maybe my parents were getting me back from beyond for me being the same way as a kid!

Thunder was very sick most of the time while Oonagh was growing up. I thought maybe I was just tired and not used to a puppy. After Thunder passed, I thought Oonagh was depressed but then quickly realized she wasn’t feeling well. That was about two years ago when her journey of health issues really began.

Her first issue started with multiple pancreatitis attacks and hospitalizations. Then she developed severe allergies, I’ve watched her face blow up needing numerous emergency visits to the vet. Then there were the unexplained strange behaviors, hiding, and getting scared of nothing. I repeatedly told her original vet there must be something tying this all together. I described all her symptoms, but they dismissed my concerns as if I was just not used to a puppy. I didn’t agree at all, as she is not my first puppy or first Rottie, I worked with dogs as a groomer, so I do have experience with all sorts of ages and breeds. As a result of how her first vet handled her initial case of pancreatitis, almost going into allergic shock at the same time from the food they prescribed, and dismissing her behaviors, I found another vet for a second opinion.

Her next vet was amazing and put a ton of effort into figuring Oonagh's idiosyncrasies out. They discovered she had Juvenile Thyroid disease. I was right that something was tying these seemingly disconnected symptoms together.

What was the hardest was that she constantly didn’t feel well from all the antibiotics and drugs they’ve used to try to clear it up. She also had side effects and had neuropathy in her hindquarters for a while. However, it never did clear up even with all sorts of methods and care. She also must be on a special low-fat diet for her sensitive stomach and recurrent pancreatitis if she eats anything or medications that disagree with her. As you can imagine, this all adds up emotionally and financially.

Despite Oonagh never feeling well, she is as sweet as a dog can be. Comical and friendly. They love Oonagh at Cornell and are amazed that she lets them poke around, ultrasounds, eye drops, eye cultures, and bloodwork repeatedly trying to figure this poor dog’s issues out. They now think she will need to be on an immunosuppressant drug for a trial period and possibly for life, which is needed to give her a quality of life. They estimate this would cost an additional $100-200 per month. Yikes!

If you’ve met her, you know Oonagh represents the best of the breed personality-wise! She is sweet, smart, loving, loves kids, exploratory walks and other dogs! She is my girl, and I will do anything to help her.

To add to it all she also needs surgery for entropion, which is her eyelashes turn in and rub on her eye causing additional irritation.

All this has caused me to go into debt, 2 years ago I was totally debt free. Now $14,000+ in vet bills to pay off, which does not include what was already paid, all-in-all somewhere around $20,000 in vet bills, not including the special foods. That doesn’t include her eye-lid surgery and her ongoing treatments. She is still not spayed because of her health issues. She hasn’t been healthy enough for that surgery.

Between her special diet, expensive medications, upcoming eye surgery and spaying, I must admit I am having a really hard time managing it all! I plan on selling anything I can. I will be having a garage sale soon with proceeds to go to Oonagh’s care. I am also starting a fund or direct donations to help with the costs of taking care of this special girl.

She’s goofy in the best ways possible and is my constant shadow. I love her with every ounce of my soul. She gave me more time with Thunder, for that I am eternally grateful! She deserves the best care she can get, and as hard as it is I must admit that I need help. I no longer have the resources to manage the care she deserves.

If you feel you can, please donate to her Oonagh’s care no amount is too small, every penny will help! she has so much life in her despite her health issues. She has taught me to be resilient and happy no matter the circumstances, she just keeps playing ball and enjoying her walks no matter what life is throwing at her. She deserves to live her life much more comfortably and give her slobbery kisses and hugs to everyone.

Thank you for taking an interest and listening to our story. We appreciate it very much! From time to time, we’ll give you updates on how she’s doing and report on any emergencies and surgeries.

Oonagh and I will be forever grateful! and promise to pay it forward however we can.

You can also follow her on her own instagram account https://www.instagram.com/oonaghtherottie/