Help Rio Recover: Emergency Surgery for Our Beloved Family Dog

Thank you for clicking on this page! My mom (Marlene), Rio, and I deeply appreciate you taking the time to read our story.

**6/3 Update: Our funding goal has been updated to $9,600 (down from $13,950) since Rio recovered well enough from surgery to come home a day early, reducing his final veterinary costs. Full details in our latest update!**

Meet Rio

Rio is our cherished 5½-year-old Bichon Shih Tzu mix who became part of our family in 2020 under special circumstances. When an international student at my university had to return home due to COVID-19 and couldn't bring Rio with him, we opened our hearts and home. Rio quickly bonded with our family and our cat Jasper, becoming an irreplaceable member of our household.

In our neighborhood, Rio is known for his gentle spirit and love of making friends with other dogs, especially his best friend, Sweet Pea, who is a Toy Fox Terrier. You might recognize him by his distinctive pink tail that he's proudly sported since Easter! Rio loves exploring McClennan Park, Whipple Hill, and our many local forest trails, bringing joy to everyone he meets along the way.

The Emergency

On Sunday, June 1st, Rio seemed perfectly normal – he ate his dinner and appeared healthy. However, during his last walk of the night, something wasn't right. After a restless night, Monday morning revealed the severity of the situation: Rio couldn't go to the bathroom or walk properly.

We rushed him to the emergency veterinary clinic on Monday, June 2nd, where we received the news that Rio had kidney stones, causing urine to build up in his bladder. This led to fluid leaking into his abdomen, reduced kidney function, and caused significant pain for our sweet boy.

The Treatment

Rio immediately went into emergency surgery to:

The comprehensive emergency treatment has included surgery, sedation, catheter placement, extensive blood work, radiographs, hospitalization, and numerous other critical tests and procedures.

The Financial Reality

Current veterinary bills have reached $13,950, and Rio still needs 2 more days of hospitalization with additional potential costs as his recovery continues.

My mother and I are facing an overwhelming financial burden that we cannot manage alone. Every dollar raised will go directly toward Rio's emergency veterinary care and ongoing recovery needs.

How You Can Help

Rio has brought so much love and joy to our lives and our community. Now, we're asking for your help to give him the chance to return to his favorite walking trails and continue being the neighborhood ambassador of friendship that everyone knows and loves.

Any contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. Whether you can donate $5 or $500, share this campaign with others, or simply keep Rio in your thoughts – we are grateful for your support.

Please consider donating to help cover Rio's emergency veterinary costs and get our beloved family member back on the road to recovery. Thank you for being part of Rio's journey back to health!

Updates on Rio's progress will be posted regularly. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support during this difficult time.