Help Bear Get Surgery
Donation protected
Friends and family, thank you for taking a moment to read our story and consider helping us ❤️
On Friday, August 30,2024 we took Bear in to the vet for a checkup on his heart murmur and to rule out heart failure as the source of a cough that has been plaguing him. His heart is in good condition which is wonderful news, but during that ultrasound they located an 8cm mass in Bear’s chest cavity. Its location is causing his coughing fits, aggravating his heart, and pushing on the artery that leads to his liver. Needless to say, it has to be removed.
I first met Bear at 3 weeks old when a coworker’s family had an accidental litter. When I sat down in the pen with all the puppies, he climbed into my lap and curled up. I knew in that moment that he was mine.
His government name is Theodore Berenstain because he looked like the coziest little teddy bear when I brought him home 6 weeks later, but he also answers to Butt, Booger, Bubba, Puppy, Goosen, and a slew of more color words and phrases.
I was only 19 at the time, fresh into my first apartment, and had never had a non-aquatic pet so I had a lot to learn. For the past 11 years, Bear and I have grown up and learned together. We’ve gone to countless doggy trick class, got his therapy certification so we could bring joy to those going through hardship, and even tried some agility training (turns out he doesn’t quite have the build for it, but dang if he isn’t cute trying to jump). Bear has been by my side through so much heartbreak, the loss of my dad, 6 different city moves, and more life changes than I can count. I don’t know where or who I would be without his unconditional love and absolute silliness in my life.
My boy is strong and playful, he brings a smile to the face of everyone who meets him, and my heart breaks that I can’t just fix what’s hurting him. I know that finances are tight all around, and I understand that most have nothing to spare, but if you could help share Bear’s story it would mean the world to me and him.
Cheers to many more years buddy ❤️
On Friday, August 30,2024 we took Bear in to the vet for a checkup on his heart murmur and to rule out heart failure as the source of a cough that has been plaguing him. His heart is in good condition which is wonderful news, but during that ultrasound they located an 8cm mass in Bear’s chest cavity. Its location is causing his coughing fits, aggravating his heart, and pushing on the artery that leads to his liver. Needless to say, it has to be removed.
I first met Bear at 3 weeks old when a coworker’s family had an accidental litter. When I sat down in the pen with all the puppies, he climbed into my lap and curled up. I knew in that moment that he was mine.
His government name is Theodore Berenstain because he looked like the coziest little teddy bear when I brought him home 6 weeks later, but he also answers to Butt, Booger, Bubba, Puppy, Goosen, and a slew of more color words and phrases.
I was only 19 at the time, fresh into my first apartment, and had never had a non-aquatic pet so I had a lot to learn. For the past 11 years, Bear and I have grown up and learned together. We’ve gone to countless doggy trick class, got his therapy certification so we could bring joy to those going through hardship, and even tried some agility training (turns out he doesn’t quite have the build for it, but dang if he isn’t cute trying to jump). Bear has been by my side through so much heartbreak, the loss of my dad, 6 different city moves, and more life changes than I can count. I don’t know where or who I would be without his unconditional love and absolute silliness in my life.
My boy is strong and playful, he brings a smile to the face of everyone who meets him, and my heart breaks that I can’t just fix what’s hurting him. I know that finances are tight all around, and I understand that most have nothing to spare, but if you could help share Bear’s story it would mean the world to me and him.
Cheers to many more years buddy ❤️
Organizer
Katie Saunders
Organizer
Reston, VA