Help Senior Pup Didy

Last week, I took my dog to the vet because he had been wheezing and struggling to breathe. The vet discovered that he had a heart murmur, sent him home with medication to treat possible kennel cough and advised that I schedule an appointment with a cardiologist. I did. His wheezing improved, but not as much as I had hoped.

On Sunday morning he was panting but I didn't think much of it. We cuddled, I pet him for some time, then I took him out. By Sunday evening, he was gasping for air, could barely move, refused any water or ice cubes. I took him outside, but he laid down in the grass and would not budge. Panicked, I carried him into an emergency vet.

The diagnosis was congestive heart failure. They could do a procedure to drain liquid from around his heart, but it would likely be a matter of time before the liquid surrounded his heart again. I asked the vet to do this procedure because I'm not ready to live in a world where he doesn't wake me up by sitting on my head and licking my face. This dog has comforted me through years of depression. He has traveled with me to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. He let me cry into his fur when I went through a devastating break up, helped me feel safe after I was assaulted, kept me company on many an exploratory walk, and has reassured me on many lonely nights.

He's home with me now, still breathing hard but breathing a little easier.  As of his release this afternoon, liquid has not reaccumulated around his heart. Currently, I'm still paying off a life saving surgery that was performed on him in April of last year. I have essentially maxed out credit cards to pay for these procedures because he means the world to me. It's really hard for me to ask for help, and I don't blame anyone who decides to pass this fundraiser by. I don't know if he will live much longer, but I am hoping that the cardiologist can give me good news next week. And I'm hoping I can pay down some of his current treatment so I can afford future vet visits and can help him live comfortably for the rest of his days. 

I preemptively thank any of you who decides to help, either by donating or sharing. This dog gave me a reason to get out of bed when I could barely justify taking care of myself. Please help me take care of him.  Thank you.