Support Kassandra and River's Recovery

From a note from Kassandra.

"Being a breeder is hard even when things go right. I have been sitting on something and I am finally willing to share.

Do you remember River? He is from our Whiskey Melody litter. He was born prematurely. He had a rough start but caught up to his brothers who were totally normal ❤️ When he had his first trip to the vet I was told he had a heart murmur and that it should resolve itself. His second trip to the vet it was not resolved and it was suggested that I have it looked at more thoroughly. Thankfully his brothers who were born more developed were totally fine. We made an appointment with a cardiologist... I wasnt too concerned because he was a normal puppy as far as I could tell but I wanted to be sure. River had his echocardiogram at 8 weeks. He was diagnosed with congenital PDA...I was releived to hear it was not hereditary. The cardiologist said it was common in premature puppies. I was heartbroken. Then the good news!! If we repaired it soon he could live a normal life with a normal life span!! Surgery was quoted at 6-8k. Alright. I brought him into this world... hes a good boy... he is my responsibility. We scheduled surgery. His surgery was Dec 9th. Dropping him off was terrifying. Knowing I may never see him again but without the surgery he would die around 1 year old. He walked into KState Vet Hospital like he was going on vacation. When they began to take him to the back they put a leash on him... he grabbed it in his mouth and pranced along side the nice vet student like he had known her all his life. They ran diagnostics that day... no heart failure, no pulmonary hypertension, no heart enlargement.... this puppy was ready for surgery and it would lead to a normal life!! Dec 10th was surgery I waited what seemed like forever for an update. When it came it wasnt good news. Surgery went well but when they began closing him, he started a major bleed. They reopened, found the bleed, and stopped it. He had lost so much blood they had to give him blood and plasma. The vet was calling to say they had done all they could but they didnt know if he would ever wake up. They would call again as soon as they had an update. My heart broke. My poor little guy. I cried. I waited 4 hours and got another call. He was on oxygen and pain meds but still hadnt woken up. He moved a foot and had blinked a couple times and prognosis was poor. another wait for what I assumed the inevitable "we did all we could but" call.... another 4-5 hours and they called with news. He was lifting his head, wanting to eat some and wagging his tail when he saw a person. A miracle! I prayed he would make it through the night. 8am came and so did the call. River is eating and trying to stand but very weak. We will be weaning him off of oxygen and the pain medicine drip but he will remain in ICU for the day. 8pm hes up and eating and being ornery! ❤️ This morning I got the call that he can come home tonight... that the bill with be 2k over the estimate. I will figure it out. His little life is worth it! I have new gray hairs...and an empty bank account but a full heart. Don't breed unless you can give your all to each baby and be prepared for heartache."

Kassandra had budgeted for this operation but with complications it was more than anticipated. Kassandra has always been there for me and others so I hope you can find it in you're hearts to help her and River.