Henry’s Story
Henry was sent to the shelter by his owner to be euthanized. But the shelter staff reached out to NRGRR instead and we just knew he was a special boy.
We gladly accepted him knowing a 14-year-old golden could have health issues. And boy did he! Henry became very ill after he arrived and was diagnosed with pancreatitis and a severe urinary tract infection. He also had a mass removed and the biopsy showed it was cancer. He remained at the vet for over a week to get him stabilized enough to go to a foster home.
Because of his age and extensive medical needs, the decision was made to make Henry a permanent foster so we could provide him the best care for whatever time he had left. He had a couple of setbacks requiring emergency care and hospitalization but none of that dampened his spirits. While at the emergency vet someone found a 4 leaf clover and decided Henry could use some luck. It must have worked because he rallied and thrived in his foster home.
We thought he had a recurring urinary tract infection, but additional diagnostics showed medications he had been taking for the infection were not effective. With persistence, we were able to get the medicine he needed. He flourished for months in his foster home and bonded so strongly to the 5-year daughter. They were inseparable. Henry won the hearts of everyone he met.
Albania Mia’s Story
From Albania to America—Mia’s journey to a better life hasn’t been easy, but she’s never stopped smiling. Before she even set paw on U.S. soil, Mia underwent major surgery to repair a diaphragmatic hernia. She had likely been hit by a car. We thought that would be her biggest hurdle, but once she arrived, we noticed something wasn’t right.
Mia breathes loudly through her nose like she’s always congested, so she has to breathe mostly through her mouth. Her right nostril couldn’t move air at all. Multiple rounds of antibiotics didn’t help. A CT scan revealed material in her right sinus, but cultures were negative. The next step was a rhinoscopy at NCSU Vet School to find out what was going on and how we could help her breathe comfortably.
Her diagnostics alone have already cost over $2300 and the rhinoscopy is another $3000. With treatment still ahead, the expenses will only continue to climb.
Mia is gentle, brave, and full of love—and she deserves a future as bright as her spirit. She is now on medication and we continue to observe her response. She still breathes loudly but can now move air through her right nostril.