Meet Sam!

Sam is an older dog with a heart of gold and we are asking for your help to save his life! Sam needs vet care before he can go to a forever home and we need help paying for that vet care.

I learned about Sam through a friend. She had discovered a dog that had taken refuge from the heat in a home under construction. The dog was in horrible shape. He was obviously underweight...you could clearly see his spine and his ribs and his belly was bloated. He was wobbly and weak when he walked. His breathing was labored and he was thirsty but not interested in drinking. He had some apparent eye issues as he had discharge coming from them, and quite a bit of his skin was missing hair.

I have helped with rescue animals before so after my friend called asking for help, I couldn't say no. Sam, being a bully mix and in the shape he was in, would not have made it out of the shelter. I met my friend at the house, was able to leash Sam and got him to follow me to the car. We lifted his flea and tick covered, 65 pound, body into the back seat, not sure if he would snap at us because of the pain he was in. That was not the case, and Sam seemed to know we were there to help.

At the vet, Sam tested positive for heartworms and a heart murmur was heard. He was given a rabies vaccine, worming, flea/tick medication and antibiotics. Over the next several days he did little else but sleep. We had to coax him to eat and at times get him to drink with a syringe. He finally started using the bathroom and although he was not overly familiar with the leash, he picked it up quickly.

After moving Sam back and forth between two homes for the first several days while he needed around the clock care, he ended up staying in my friend's home. The rescue groups in the area are filled to the brim so we are doing what we can to get him better and find him a permanent home.

Sam has been gaining strength and his personality is shining through more and more each day. He is smart, loving and has a spring in his step we did not expect after having seen him on day one. He does get tired, has some weight to gain, and has a long way to go, but he is on the right path.

We need to raise funds so we can get Sam assessed asap and determine the extent of his heartworm infestation and what type of treatment options are available.

Whether Sam has a year to live or several, he is worth saving and deserves a loving forever home where he can live the life he has not yet had the chance to experience. He has much to offer. He has already touched the lives of our community, our friends and our family. He loves our 3 kids, and they love him dearly. I love him and want the very best for him. He deserves the very best. - Jennifer M., Sam’s temporary foster

In order to get Sam in an appropriate home, we need to know exactly what his medical needs are now, and what his ongoing needs may be. We are asking for help covering the diagnostic testing and imaging needed to determine the safest and most effective way to treat Sam so he can live the fullest life he can, no matter how long that may be.

We are asking for your help! At this point expenses are expected to include the following:

• Sam is unilaterally cryptorchid, which means he has one testicle that never descended. He will still need to be neutered.
• His vaccines will need to be updated (he has already been given a rabies vaccine).
• He will need to have bloodwork and labs done.
• He will need to have imaging, possibly including an ultrasound.
• He will require heartworm treatment. The type of treatment, duration and cost will be unknown until the imaging and lab work is complete.

Sam has so much to offer. He has already touched many lives and we are certain there is a forever home out there just for him where he will be safe and loved and where he can offer someone unconditional love and companionship!

Please consider helping us help Sam!

All funds donated will go toward Sam’s current medical needs and anything not used for current needs will go toward the cost of his ongoing care by way of vet care, medication and supplies.

Thanks for your consideration and support!