Hi, my name is Jessica, and I am raising money for a dear friend's dog, Trooper. I will not name the friend because she would kill me :-)

DISCLAIMER: If you know the owner of this dog, DO NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THIS GOFUNDME. This is a very humble and self-sufficient individual who will rarely accept any help at all.

Trooper was rescued from Young Williams Animal Center in January. He is just under four years old, and is the the sweetest boy you will ever meet. When he was rescued my friend knew he had surgery to remove some salivary glands. He has a condition called salivary mucocele, which is a common salivary gland disorder in dogs that occurs when saliva leaks and accumulates in the surrounding tissues. Unfortunately, his first surgery with YWAC was not successful. About a month after adopting Trooper, he had to have surgery yet again to try to remove all of the salivary glands. This is a very invasive surgery each time where he is opened from his neck.

What happens when the surgery is not successful you ask? Well, Trooper continues to be fluid filled in his neck area developing a large pocket of fluid that constantly needs to be drained and could impact his ability to eat and restrict his air flow.. Take two did not work! Yes take two did not work.

After that, Trooper's general vet referred him to a specialist surgery center in Knoxville. He had a third surgery just about a month ago and over twenty salivary glands were removed. The vet was confident she removed everything, and Trooper was recovering very well from that surgery. We thought he finally had beaten this medical problem until last week. Left untreated, he will become septic and not have a chance at the life he so deserves.

Just before Memorial Day, Trooper's right side of his face began swelling drastically and he became very lethargic and stopped eating. He was taken to the UT Vet ER where he is currently being kept comfortable with IV fluids and pain meds. The plan is to do a fourth surgery. Right now, what we know is he has some type of infection and there is the potential he still has salivary mucocele. The CT scan showed a large pocket of fluid, but to know for sure what is going on within his face, he needs surgery. The only other option would be to let him cross the Rainbow Bridge. That is not being chosen for Trooper as he deserves this effort from the skilled professionals at UT. He will not continue to be subjected to more surgeries after this, but we have hope with UT working on him. If anyone can help him, UT will be able to do it.

We are very thankful for UT vet team here and also for everyone who loves sweet Trooper. Although he's only been part of my friend's family since January, he's made a tremendous impact and deserves every shot at the amazing life he can have. When he is healthy, he is the sweetest and most joyful boy. (He is sweet all the time by the way). Most of all, he loves his mom so very much and his cat siblings.

All money raised will go directly to Trooper's medical care which has surpassed $5,000 already and will likely accumulate another $5,000 or so when it's all said and done. We aren't asking for the full amount, but if you can spare any small amount, it will go directly to Trooper's care.

Reminder: If you know the owner of this dog, DO NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THIS GOFUNDME. This is a very humble and self-sufficient individual who will rarely accept any help at all.

Thank you from Trooper and his friends!