My name is Nancy and I am asking for your love and compassion to raise money for my brother John's rescued German Shepard, Oso. 

This is Oso - he's approximately 3 years old.  He was orphaned and was living at a German Shepard rescue shelter for a year.  As a puppy, he had a family but they abandoned him - why someone would commit such cruelty no one knows. The entire shelter staff,  caring professionals as well as the dedicated volunteers, universally fell in love with him... and, naturally, so did my brother.  
 
I can't help but smile thinking back on that morning on April 2nd when I accompanied John to downtown Los Angeles to help him find a dog that he could rescue and one that would rescue him.  He had lost his previous canine angel, Kabo, in February.  They had been inseparable.  Whether camping or going to the beach or taking long drives to Northern California, John and Kabo were best friends.  Old age had taken Kabo across the Rainbow Bridge and John was overdue to find that next best friend - and to be that special pal's best friend in return. We entered the rescue shelter and John went through the careful process of approval.  Then the big moment arrived - Oso was introduced to John.  It was magic - they connected as if Oso had been with John since he was a puppy.  John, coming off major back surgery less than two months prior, radiated a look of pure joy when he stroked the fur on Oso's head and back.  It was a look John hadn't had since the passing of Kabo.  Love at first sight and in less than an hour Oso and  his new dad were off to a new life of love, companionship and joy in Carpenteria, CA.

They've been thick as thieves since that day two months ago... until tragedy struck today.  John and Oso went on their evening walk and John fed him his normal meal when he noticed Oso behaving strangely.  He was moaning and laying on his side and John immediately recognized that Oso was suffering from that often fatal condition of "Bloat".  He immediately gathered his best friend in his arms, struggled to get to his feet - still on the mend from surgery - and rushed Oso to the emergency pet hospital.  The news was worse than he feared; Oso suffered not only from bloat but also the accompanying twisting of his stomach.  Without emergency surgery to straighten his stomach, Oso wouldn't last an hour.  This wonderful new life would end for both Oso and John before it had barely begun.  Fortunately, John got Oso to the hospital in time, the surgeon was there and available to do the surgery.  Oso survived the surgery and is recuperating well at the hospital.  It was not his time to cross the Rainbow Bridge.

  The surgery,  post-op and medication for this life-saving event has put an difficult burden on my brother.  He gave everything to save his angel, Oso.  Please find it in your heart and soul to provide John with any assistance you can spare to offset his wonderful sacrifice for this incredible gift of a companion we call Oso.  

Thank you so much in advance for your kindness.

Nancy