This is Raider, my heart dog. He came into my life a few years ago, soon after I lost my previous heart dog, Sherlock. I am convinced Sherlock sent him to me because he knew I needed him. Raider has been a fighter since the beginning, surviving PARVO as a puppy before I even met him. He convinced my old, grumpy girl, Westbrook, to love him and not even a year ago welcomed his new brother, Loki, and taught him everything he knows.

Unfortunately, one month ago today, Raider developed respiratory symptoms. His primary vet started antibiotics, cough medication, and steroids with no improvement. On 12/8/25, he was transferred for hospitalization at the local ER where the internal medicine team took over care and performed testing, including a bronchoscopy and BAL under anesthesia. He was sent home when stable with medications to await results. Unfortunately, everything was negative, other than apparent inflammation. Raider was, while not improving significantly, stable while repeat lab work, x-rays, and additional testing were performed.

Over the last 24 hours, Raider declined and has now been transferred to the ER for hospitalization and to be put on oxygen. We still do not have a diagnosis and do not know what the outcome will be. Raider is a fighter and we will fight with him. To do that, we need your help. My husband and I will do anything to help him, but as anyone knows, vet bills, hospitalization, and specialists all add up. If you can help, we would be eternally grateful.