Five and a half years ago fate brought Vader into my life. I was helping a friend with her search for her lost yorkie, after weeks of cruzing the pound looking for DIVA, a young, beautiful, BIG, black dog showed up in a kennel at the pound. I simply could not believe that he was still there after the first day, and he stayed there for seven more. So I finally asked the front desk about his situation. They told me he was microchipped and that they had reached out to his registered owners. The first day they called; the owners answered and said that he was thiers, that they would come pick him up, they never showed. The second day they called again, the other end answered the phone but then denied ever owning a dog. The pound tried calling everyday for three more days but never had anyone even answer the phone. Then remarked, "guess they didn't want him." That's when I chimed in, "Well, I want him." And since he had been there for 7 days, i got to take him home with me that day. It was love at first sight. I often gaze into his deep brown saggy eyes and tell him, "I just dont know why your first parents wouldnt want you, I think your perfect." And I tell him, "i love you so much".

Vader is the sweetest, softest, happy-go-lucky, Healthy, 150 pound, 6-year-old Great Dane. Hes always a good boy in any situation, his size at first is intimidating but anyone who comes in contact with him ends up quickly adoring him, because theres nothing but love about him, but that was about to all change very unexpectedly, and way too quickly. Sunday night he was playing with his sister, when all of a sudden the games came to an end, Vader started drooling profusely, sitting and lying down with a very unusual posture, and even began dry heaving. I could tell immediately that something was seriously wrong. I spent most of a hour comforting him, cleaning him up, and trying to help him feel better, but nothing seemed to work. I forced him to take a Pepto Bismol tab, hoping to ease his stomach, but he still wasn’t himself. After researching his symptoms, I realized it could be nothing to worry about or it could be something very serious—Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GVD), also known as "bloat", which is life-threatening and requires immediate attention.

Really hoping I was overreacting, I called the local emergency animal hospital anyway and let them know i was heading to them as I rushed Vader there. When we arrived, the vets took X-rays and confirmed my fears: Vader’s stomach and spleen had twisted. I was told that they needed a 1500 just to start the process or Vader wouldn’t make it. I didn’t have that kind of money on hand, but I couldn’t just let Vader die, so I put the cost on credit. The team gave him pain medication, started IV fluids, and began the necessary tests. Then the vet team hit me with Vader needs to have surgery to stay alive! The expenses quickly added up, and now I’m facing VERY high minimum credit card payments for years to come—much more than the cost of the surgery itself. This unexpected emergency has completely changed my financial situation. I’m committed to paying my debts and maintaining my good credit, but it means sacrificing everything extra, even basic things for myself and Vader.

I 100% appreciate you spending your time reading through this story. Whether you help my cause or not, if you own a dog, please use this as a reason to educate yourself about "bloat". Too many lives are lost because owners just didn’t know, and timing is critical. It can happen at any time, with or without food in the stomach. Please be aware of the symptoms so you and your dog can be as lucky as me and Vader. Your support, whether it’s a donation, sharing our story, or simply spreading awareness, means the world to us.