Help Derek Breathe

Seven years ago, we didn't know we wanted a dog, but Derek needed a family.

Turns out, we needed him too.

On days when it feels like school or work has gotten the better of us, Derek greets us at the door and melts our troubles away with unconditional love.

He's always been there for us. Now, we need to be there for him, in a BIG way.
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ― Anatole France

Derek has been battling tracheal collapse for several years. It's a common condition in small dogs, where the rings that keep his airway open are genetically weak and prone to collapse.

Trying to breathe with a collapsed trachea is like trying to suck air through a crushed straw. It's difficult, exhausting and it doesn't work very well.

Although we'd been trying to manage Derek's condition with a cocktail of steroids and cough suppressants, a recent bout of pneumonia sent him into respiratory distress.

We rushed him to Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston where they immediately put him into an oxygen tent because he was foaming at the mouth and his tongue was blue.

At the time he was admitted, we were quoted $5,000 for his care which we thought would last 2-3 days.

After recently losing a beloved dog who we could do NOTHING to save, we knew we'd do ANYTHING to save Derek. We agreed to the cost and moved forward with his treatment.


After being in the hospital for over a week, Derek still couldn't breathe without the aid of oxygen.


It became clear that Derek wouldn't live long without surgery.

Doctors placed a stent in his airway which will keep it open and allow him to breathe without the aid of oxygen.

Derek made it through the surgery and is in recovery. We're hopeful we'll have him home soon.


The total cost for his hospital stay and surgery was more than twice what we thought it would be.

Was it worth it? Absolutely. But it's a lot of money and we need your help to pay for it. 

"Animals are the bridge between us and the beauty of all that is natural. They show us what's missing in our lives, and how to love ourselves more completely and unconditionally. They connect us back to who we are, and to the purpose of why we're here." ― Trisha McCagh

If you can chip in to help defray Derek's medical costs, we'd be deeply grateful.

If you could share this campaign with other animal lovers, it would help immeasurably.

Any funds raised beyond our goal will be donated to the Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston to help them continue giving world class medical care to animals who need it.

"If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans."―James Herriot

Please help spread the word...maybe we can exceed our goal and help other animals in need!