Hi everyone,

Ruger here – Professional cuddle athlete, part-time influencer, full-time medical mystery.

I’m 110 pounds of pure muscle and zero pounds of common sense, and right now I need a little help.

So last week, I decided to scare my moms half to death by looking like I had bloat — the thing every large-dog owner loses sleep over. I was struggling to breathe, pacing, doing the whole “dramatic Corso performance art” routine.

We rushed to the vet, they took an x-ray, and the doctor hit us with:

“Good news: it’s not bloat.

Bad news: It’s MUCH WORSE.”

Apparently, my chest was full of fluid, and not like “a little damp.” I mean Florida-in-August levels of humidity in there.

Not the plot twist we were expecting.

My moms were told I might not make it to the Internal Medicine appointment that was scheduled for the following week. But because I am dramatic AND resilient, I decided to show up to that appointment alive, wagging, and breathing better than anyone expected.

Unfortunately, the specialists still don’t know why my chest keeps filling with fluid. The current list of suspects includes:

• Cancer (which I did not order)

• A heart condition (rude)

• Some immune system drama (classic)

• A fungal infection (I don’t even eat mushrooms… often)

• Or a mysterious foreign object I maybe, possibly, PROBABLY ate

(Listen… if it fits in my mouth, that’s on you, not me.)

The only way to get answers is through a full diagnostic workup — imaging, chest fluid analysis, heart scans — all of which we can only do after I’m safely off my steroids. Because apparently, these steroids hide clues like it’s competing on The Masked Singer.

So, we’ve got about 20 days until my next appointment, and we really need help covering the cost of the tests that might save my life.

My moms love me more than anything. They want answers. They want comfort, but they aren’t trying to put me through anything painful or extreme. They just want to know whether I have a real chance, or whether it’s time for the best goodbye a dog could ask for.

If you’ve followed my Instagram (@maximos_ruger), you know I’ve had some viral moments — 16 million people have watched me be a soft, squishy, oversized toddler. Now I’m hoping some of that love comes back around when I need it most.

If we raise more than needed or if I cross the rainbow bridge before my appointment, the money will go toward my final care, and we will donate to Peace of Mind Dog Rescue , who have already helped me out. They're basically doggy angels!

If you can donate — thank you.

If you can share — also thank you.

If you can’t do either — pet a dog today in my honor, or send me good vibes, preferably the liver-treat-flavored kind.

I appreciate all of you.

Love,

Ruger (aka Roogie-Poo, aka Captain Fluid Lungs)

#helpabigboybreathe

#rugersworld