TL;DR:

My sister recently lost her beloved dog, Lela, after 13 years, adopted two bonded rescue dogs (Rusty & Roxy) to heal, and now faces another heartbreak. Rusty has been diagnosed with IVDD, a serious spinal condition. She’s already spent $2,000 on emergency care (and ~$9000 on Lela's end of life care) and can’t afford the ongoing treatment he urgently needs. We're raising funds to cover Rusty’s care so he can stay with the only family he’s ever truly known.

Full Story: A few weeks ago, my sister faced one of the hardest days of her life, saying goodbye to her beloved dog, Lela, after 13 beautiful years together. Lela passed from ongoing complications, and it left a gaping hole in my sister’s heart and in the heart of her 6-year-old daughter, who lost her very first best friend.

My sister has always had the biggest heart for animals. So while grieving Lela, she came across two bonded dogs, Rusty and Roxy, who had spent their entire lives in shelters and foster care. They had been through so much, arriving at the Maryland SPCA nearly hairless, covered in fleas and pressure sores. Their story was full of heartbreak, but despite everything, they were still full of love. They needed to be adopted together, and that made finding them a home even harder. But my sister knew instantly, this was their second chance. And maybe hers, too.

My sister opened her heart and home to Rusty and Roxy. She gave them love, stability, and a fresh start. They learned to trust her, began to settle in, and it finally felt like something good was beginning after so much loss.

Then, heartbreak struck again.

Less than two weeks later, Rusty began showing signs of severe pain, unable to walk, yelping, refusing to eat. My sister rushed him to a 24-hour vet in the middle of the night. After multiple diagnoses, X-rays, and over $2,000 in emergency care, Rusty was diagnosed with IVDD, a spinal condition that can be extremely painful and life-threatening without proper treatment. After IVDD you can see c2-c3 fusion possibly entering his spinal cord.

Right now, medication and rest aren't helping. He needs further diagnostics like a CT scan, possibly surgery, and my sister simply doesn’t have the means after spending ~$9000 on Lela’s end-of-life care and $2000 on Rusty’s emergency vet bills.

Rusty deserves a real chance. He just found a family that adores him. He finally has a home. We want to give him the medical care he needs so he can stay with the only family he’s ever really known, and the sister he can’t live without.

Any amount, big or small, will go directly to Rusty’s medical care, either through my sister or the shelter if needed.

If you’ve ever loved a pet, mourned one, or witnessed the healing that animals can bring, you know how much this means. Let’s give Rusty his second chance, and help keep these two best friends together.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Shelby