Help Rollo Fight — An Icelandic Sheepdog in Critical Care
This is Rollo. He's 4 years old, a purebred Icelandic Sheepdog — one of the world's rarest breeds — and he's in the ICU at Animal Emergency & Specialty Center in Parker, Colorado, fighting for his life. Rollo is one of mine. He came from my very first Lukehaven litter — son of my Freyja and Cari’s Stormy — and I've loved him since the day he was born. People who know me know I fall in love with every puppy I raise. They're with me for 8 to 10 chaotic weeks of wobbly first steps and their first introduction to the world — lots of love — and then they go home with their loving families — but they never really leave my heart. I think about them. I check in on them. I cheer for them, celebrate their birthdays, and worry when they're sick. They are, every one of them, my joy. So, I'm writing this with my heart in my throat.
Rollo's owner, Scott — who has loved this dog with his whole self since the day he picked him up — is in Colorado, watching his boy fight something the specialists can't yet name. It started Saturday with vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. The local emergency vet ran X-rays and basic diagnostics, found nothing definitive, and sent Rollo home with supportive medications. By Monday morning, he still wasn't eating or acting like himself, so Scott brought him to his regular vet. He spiked a 105F fever, and bloodwork came back deeply alarming — Rollo had essentially no white blood cells. He was rushed to AESC that afternoon and admitted directly to critical care. By late evening, the board-certified critical care specialists told Scott they suspect something is attacking Rollo's bone marrow. Scott authorized CPR if needed overnight. An ultrasound is happening this morning, with a bone marrow aspiration likely to follow.
Rollo is in the best possible hands — AESC's ICU is staffed around the clock by board-certified criticalists (DACVECC), the highest level of veterinary critical care available. But that level of care is extraordinarily expensive. Rollo has pet insurance, but the policy has a cap and covers only a portion of eligible costs — he is going to exceed that cap quickly. Scott is doing absolutely everything right. He has not hesitated for a second. But I cannot stand the thought of him having to weigh his dog's life against these enormous bills — not after everything he and Rollo have built together, and not while Rollo is fighting this hard. So, I'm asking — with Scott's blessing — for our community to help. Every dollar goes directly to Rollo's veterinary care. Whether you can give or share, it adds up. If you can't give, please share — with your ISD friends, breed clubs, training partners, vet, and dog people. The Icelandic Sheepdog community is small, fierce, and extraordinary. We know each other's dogs by name. We celebrate every litter. We show up for each other. Scott and Rollo need us now. I'll post updates here as soon as we have them. From the bottom of my heart — thank you. Paula, Lukehaven Icelandic Sheepdogs (Rollo's breeder, and the worried "first mom" who has loved him since day one)
This is Rollo. He's 4 years old, a purebred Icelandic Sheepdog — one of the world's rarest breeds — and he's in the ICU at Animal Emergency & Specialty Center in Parker, Colorado, fighting for his life. Rollo is one of mine. He came from my very first Lukehaven litter — son of my Freyja and Cari’s Stormy — and I've loved him since the day he was born. People who know me know I fall in love with every puppy I raise. They're with me for 8 to 10 chaotic weeks of wobbly first steps and their first introduction to the world — lots of love — and then they go home with their loving families — but they never really leave my heart. I think about them. I check in on them. I cheer for them, celebrate their birthdays, and worry when they're sick. They are, every one of them, my joy. So, I'm writing this with my heart in my throat.
Rollo's owner, Scott — who has loved this dog with his whole self since the day he picked him up — is in Colorado, watching his boy fight something the specialists can't yet name. It started Saturday with vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. The local emergency vet ran X-rays and basic diagnostics, found nothing definitive, and sent Rollo home with supportive medications. By Monday morning, he still wasn't eating or acting like himself, so Scott brought him to his regular vet. He spiked a 105F fever, and bloodwork came back deeply alarming — Rollo had essentially no white blood cells. He was rushed to AESC that afternoon and admitted directly to critical care. By late evening, the board-certified critical care specialists told Scott they suspect something is attacking Rollo's bone marrow. Scott authorized CPR if needed overnight. An ultrasound is happening this morning, with a bone marrow aspiration likely to follow.
Rollo is in the best possible hands — AESC's ICU is staffed around the clock by board-certified criticalists (DACVECC), the highest level of veterinary critical care available. But that level of care is extraordinarily expensive. Rollo has pet insurance, but the policy has a cap and covers only a portion of eligible costs — he is going to exceed that cap quickly. Scott is doing absolutely everything right. He has not hesitated for a second. But I cannot stand the thought of him having to weigh his dog's life against these enormous bills — not after everything he and Rollo have built together, and not while Rollo is fighting this hard. So, I'm asking — with Scott's blessing — for our community to help. Every dollar goes directly to Rollo's veterinary care. Whether you can give or share, it adds up. If you can't give, please share — with your ISD friends, breed clubs, training partners, vet, and dog people. The Icelandic Sheepdog community is small, fierce, and extraordinary. We know each other's dogs by name. We celebrate every litter. We show up for each other. Scott and Rollo need us now. I'll post updates here as soon as we have them. From the bottom of my heart — thank you. Paula, Lukehaven Icelandic Sheepdogs (Rollo's breeder, and the worried "first mom" who has loved him since day one)
Organizer and beneficiary
Scott Kimble
Beneficiary