Sugus Dumped Dying Dog. Help me

Last Thursday we received a message with a photo of a completely

hairless, mange-ridden, malnourished dog. It came with a map location

pin. I jumped in my car with some food, water, and a leash to meet a

fellow rescuer.

When I arrived, the pizza delivery driver who

had spotted him directed me to where the dog was curled up, passed out

on the side of the road. I woke him with a handful of food. It didn’t

take much to coax this starving puppy to safety. He was scared of us,

but he wanted help! Neighbors on this farm road said he had just shown

up that day, and we know he didn’t arrive on his own. He was dumped to

die.

We named him Phoenix, as we couldn’t wait to watch him rise

from the ashes of the only life he had known — a life of suffering and

cruel neglect. We couldn’t wait to see what his coat would look like as

it grew back in, since his skin is so diseased we can’t s even tell what

kind of dog he is. We couldn't wait to see him run, play, and feel a

cool breeze blowing through the beautiful for he would have. We were so

excited for his future. Unfortunately, our dreams were quickly dashed!

As

Phoenix’s treatment got underway, his condition rapidly declined. When I

arrived to the clinic Sunday to rush him to the 24-hr emergency vet,

Phoenix appeared to be half dead. I was floored. But he raised his head

in the car, trying to sit up, and I knew he wanted to live.

When

we arrived to the ER, Phoenix’s temperature was too low to read, his

blood pressure had completely tanked, his blood glucose level was on the

floor, and his leg had swelled up with infection. Blood work showed he

had gone septic, and his prognosis was extremely grim. The doctor

suggested I revise his CPR to a DNR. She told me if his heart stops, he

won’t likely come back. We were devastated.

Since they couldn’t

let me stay with Phoenix, I drove around the hospital bawling my eyes

out and begging God to deliver him into the new life we so badly wanted

Phoenix to have. He can’t go out like this! People around the country

started praying.

And thank God, Phoenix is a fighter and a

downright champ! Over the next 12 hours of aggressive medical treatment

and fervent prayers, Phoenix’s temperature rose. His BP rose. His blood

sugar finally stayed up. The ER doctor called me last night, and for the

very first time, said “I actually have hope.”

The problem that

she presented me with is that saving Phoenix’s life “is going to be very

expensive.” We are looking at an estimated $5,800 - $6,500 for the

first 72 hours of critical care. Phoenix has a urinary catheter since he

can’t or won’t walk yet, and exposure to his skin of his own urine

could be very dangerous. He has a constant ECG to monitor his blood

pressure. He’s on an IV drip full of a complex, lifesaving cocktail of

drugs catered to his condition. And he needs pretty much his own

dedicated nurse, monitoring and working with him around the clock.

For

anyone who says one dog is not worth this kind of money, you have not

met Phoenix. He has a strong and beautiful soul. He deserves every

opportunity to be delivered from his cruel start to life—no matter the

cost—and to find out what it’s like to be loved...to be part of a

family...to know joy! I think Phoenix’s life is worth more than the

average cost of a used sedan, or a potato salad recipe.

We must

raise the necessary funds immediately in order to continue Phoenix’s

treatment. This is a 911, and needs to be spread far and wide to anyone

who loves dogs, or simply hates suffering. We need anyone who can't

donate to please share! You never know who will see it, who can help

Phoenix.

Please know the doctor will inform us if Phoenix decides

he’s too tired to continue this journey. For now, he has shown he’s

willing to fight, and we want to do everything in our power to help him

battle. Please help us help him!