Join Kat in Saving Her Soulmate Rosie in Her Healing Journey

Help Rosie Beat Heartworm and Heal

Hi, I’m Kat, and I’m reaching out on behalf of my beloved dog Rosie — a sweet, playful 3-year-old who brings joy to everyone she meets. Recently, Rosie was diagnosed with heartworm, and we’re about to start a long and serious treatment journey to get her healthy again.

Rosie’s Rescue Story:

I adopted Rosie in November 2023, right in the middle of my own battle with pancreatic cancer. I had finally been diagnosed after months of test after test. Seeing her on Facebook from Rescue Me Pawesome Style pulled me in — there was something in her eyes, full of sorrow and silent hope, that told me we were meant to heal each other.

Rosie was rescued from an out-of-state animal shelter, severely abused and neglected. She weighed just 19 pounds when she should have been closer to 55. Her underside was purple from trauma, and she had burns on her spine, legs, and hips — some the size of half-dollar coins. Most of the hair on her legs and feet was gone. She had been tied to a tree with two German shepherds, all of them starving without food or water.

When Ann from Rescue Me Pawsome Style came to pick up another dog from the shelter, she saw Rosie in the euthanasia room, just minutes away from being put down. At the rescue, Rosie stayed balled up in the back of her cage, only coming out at night when no one was around. She wouldn’t respond to people. Some thought she was too far gone and should be euthanized. But Ann refused. “She’s in there,” she said. “She’s still in there.”

When Rosie came to visit me, she stayed hidden in her crate. The first night I left the crate open for her, she had an accident on the floor — but given everything she’d been through, I completely understood. Thirty-six hours later, she let me take her in the backyard to potty. By day three, she was sniffing my hand and eating from it. By day six, I have video of her wrestling with me on the floor. Ann was certainly right, she WAS still "in there".

We’ve been healing each other ever since. I helped her through her distrust and pain, and she helped me through my cancer. I love this girl more than words can say.

It's been up and up since then with growing trust and new adventures every day — from her first cautious steps outside with me to our training sessions she excelled in, to her running, off-leash, fetching her frisbee, to playing and chasing with a bunch of other dogs on the dog beach. It is such a joy to watch her grow and trust. Until her regular heartworm test came out positive.

What We’re Facing:

Rosie has tested positive not just once, but confirmed through follow-up tests. This week, she’ll undergo x-rays and more bloodwork, which will require sedation. After that, we begin treatment with Doxycycline, an antibiotic that helps kill the baby worms already found in her blood, and Prednisone to reduce inflammation.

Then comes the hard part:

• She’ll need two painful injections deep into her back muscles — one the first month, and another 30 days later. If her body doesn’t respond as hoped, she may need a third injection.

• For at least 3 months, she must be kept calm and still — no running, no beach days (her favorite!), no playing with her dog friends, no long walks, or off-leash play, and not even climbing stairs to bed.

Rosie sleeps upstairs with me every night, and now that she can’t climb stairs, I’ll be sleeping on the couch to be by her side. She’s not just a dog — she’s my family.

As my 9-year-old grandson, Eli, told me, "GG, I think we all have two soulmates. One is a person and the other is an animal. Rosie is your animal soulmate, GG."

Why This Is Especially Hard:

Just a short while ago, I went through my own medical crisis: I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, underwent a Whipple procedure, and couldn’t work for months during recovery. I depleted my savings getting through that unexpected journey, and I’m still working to get back on my feet financially. Now, Rosie’s treatment is a new challenge I wasn’t prepared for — emotionally or financially.

How You Can Help:

The costs for testing, medications, x-rays, sedation, and heartworm injections are adding up quickly, and I’m doing everything I can — but we could really use your support.

Every donation, no matter how small, will go directly toward Rosie’s care and help give her the best chance at recovery.

If you can’t give right now, please consider sharing this page — it truly helps more than you know.

Rosie is only three years old and deserves to run, play, and feel good again. Your kindness can help us get there.

With love and gratitude,

Kat & Rosie