Save Austen

After beating the odds, the love of our life, Austen, is back in the emergency with a relapse of Acute Pancreatitis, a painful, life-threatening disease that causes the pancreas to attack itself. This is Austen's 2nd & worst relapse, as he is experiencing significant intestinal bleeding and requires emergency surgery. Knowing he is in so much pain and knowing that we don't have the funds to pay for this surgery is destroying us.

Especially since he is our miracle dog. We rescued Austen, a lab/shepard mix, from our local shelter at 6 months, and after his 1st birthday he developed a long list of medical issues. But our happy & energetic puppy has survived and flourished despite it all. After his 2nd birthday we thought we were going to lose him when he was diagnosed with a extremely rare inflammatory brain disease called Granulomatous Meningoencephalomyelitis (GME), and the neurologist we took him to, told us that his life expectancy was around 3 months! But soon after the prescribed steroid treatment started our Austen came back and is now almost 5! Looking at him you wouldn't think anything is wrong.

But there is, and around a year ago he had his first pancreatitis attack. The expense is killing us, but the alternative is not something we are willing to contemplate since for the most part Austen is so,so happy and energetic and active. Each attack has cost us around $6,000 in treatment and the cost of this surgery is completely overwhelming.

We are extremely worried about our baby boy and time is of the essence for him. If you are able to donate, thank you. We know that things are tough for a lot of people, but we have to take the chance and fight to save the life of our puppy. Every little bit helps. If you are unable to donate, please share the link. Thank you so much, from the bottom of our hearts.

Lots of love,

Michelle & Austen

*PS: Please note that any money raised over the total amount of Aussie's surgery bill will be donated. Specifically, 50% to the UCDavis Veterinary Medicine Genetic Research program which provides support to research studies focused on the genetic basis of disease in companion animals. And 50% to the Toronto Humane Society, because everyone should adopt a rescue animal.*