Hi my name is Dustin and I’m fundraising for my best friend, my adventure buddy, my boy. He’s been there not just for me but everyone who’s met him. He has the biggest heart ever and brings warmth and love everywhere he goes. He has a personality like no other friend I’ve known. I imagine he has been on more adventures than any other Yorkshire terrier, trail running, bikepacking, hiking and many more.

He was diagnosed 5ish years ago with a collapsible trachea and has been managing with that condition since then. Many of you know his nickname ‘honky’ from his cough when he has difficulty breathing. The nickname helps with the stress when seeing my best friend coughing when there’s nothing I can do but hope it doesn’t get worse.

 

Friday night the worst case happened, he started coughing as he does but this time he couldn’t breath. He collapsed on the floor and I used my first aid to help get his airway cleared, gave him some breaths of air by mouth and got him partially breathing again.  My brother Jonathan was with me at the time thankfully. We scooped him up and drove immediately to the animal hospital where they put him on oxygen and sedatives to stabilize him. After a few hours of waiting doctor told us she was concerned about his breathing as it sounded like fluid in his lungs and could have something to do with his heart. They decided it would be best to keep him overnight to monitor his situation. This was a long and painful nights sleep.  

On Saturday late afternoon we went back in for an update and to bring him home. They confirmed Bacon has congestive heart disease but not sure exactly what the disease is.  He will be on lifetime medication and his life dramatically shortened. We hope that this treatment plan will elongate his life so we can continue our adventures and keep him happy and comfortable as long as possible.

I am asking for some financial support from my community as this has been an unexpected strain on top of some emotionally unsettling news.  I am hoping to raise $3871 to help pay for the vet bills I have and will incurre. I humbly accept any donation possible. If you are unable to, I certainly understand and appreciate you anyways. At the very least I would be grateful if you could please share this campaign with your community. 

I really hope to keep bringing Bacon on our bike camping trips and other adventures we enjoy together as well as spreading his loving energy and spirit that bring smiles to everyone he meets.