Loyal for 7 yrs.left to die alone

On the morning of September 6, 2017, King was found practically lifeless at a New York shelter.  He had collapsed overnight in his own urine and blood.  Four days earlier, he was dumped there by his owner of 7 years.  That first night, King endlessly shook and cowarded in the corner of his run. He barely picked up his head and refused any food or water.  The staff tried hard to bring him around; but King was dying.  He had gone into catastrophic kidney failure.  King had never been to a vet for checkups and had undiagnosed lyme disease.  The extreme stress of his owner dumping him was causing all of his organs to fail. King didn't want to live anymore.  That would have been where most dogs' stories ended; but not this one.  Something happened that set off an extraordinary chain reaction.  
      See, King was so striking and young; that someone stepped up right away and wanted to adopt him the first day he got to the shelter.  However, because he was now very ill; he was unable to go anywhere but the ICU unit.  Normally, a small municipal shelter would never have the funds to cover such an expensive treatment for one dog...but King was no ordinary dog.  
        His case was the most severe case any vet had ever seen.  It was incompatible with survival.  The rescuer, who had gotten him an adopter, had a feeling about King.  He didn't survive this far just to have his story end here.  So, when all the chatter was going on around him about his "grim" prognosis; the rescuer whispered in his ear.  "Boy, do you want to go to heaven or do you want to stay here? Just because your owner hurt you doesn't mean that we don't love you.  I promise you one thing, if you want to fight; I will give you everything within my power to make sure you win."  King was septic at the time and in convulsions.  He was not coherent or responsive; but after the rescuer was done talking; he lifted his head and began to lick her face.  He was willing to give it a try.  A that moment, we knew we were in for a nearly impossible battle.   So, with blind faith, we began the long, slow climb back to life.  He teetered on the edge almost every day after that.  Bleeding, feeding tubes, plasma transfusions, blood infusions, bladder catheters, high blood pressure, protein loss, severe platelet depletion, muscle wasting, pain, mouth ulcers, blood clots, and heart murmurs.  Three times the doctors asked us to consider ending his misery.  Three times the rescuer remembered what King told her and refused to break her promise to him.  On September 19, 2017; King was discharged from the hospital with a "guarded"prognosis.  The vet techs, nurses, shelter staff, volunteers, and the doctors just don't get it. He survived.  No one knows why.  He is still recovering; but this was something very few dogs (if any) have ever survived after hitting those near fatal levels.  King's story is not over yet.  
      He is still trying one step at a time.  His care reached an astronomical $17,512!!! Why are we asking for help with this bill?  It is because this could bankrupt the rescue; making it impossible to save any more abused or neglected dogs like King.  As a result of doing everything possible, we have been able to provide real data on how dogs respond to all the treatments for this rapidly increasing epidemic.  This thing called "Lyme Nephritis" We can save other dogs with King's case.  It is so well documented that we can share it with other veterinary schools of medicine to show what happens when you keep pushing and don't euthanize.  His story is hope for other animals.  His story is important because he showed what was possible when you don't give up.  I ask that you please consider a donation to this beautiful dog's care and support; so we don't have to stop helping other animals.  There are so many that need rescuing.  If we can pay this bill;I believe we not only save King, we provide research to save other dogs.  Could your dog be one of the animals that benefit from what happened here?  I understand that so many are in need at this time; but even the price of a Starbucks coffee or some spare change can add up quickly.  If we all share this, text it, message people, donate, and spread the word, we can raise this in no time.   Please, if you've ever had an animal that you loved and loved you...you can understand why giving them the longest and best life possible is so important.