Ares is a 5-year-old Great Pyrenees/Akbash Mix in Excelsior Springs , MO, who needs $1,500 for Idiopathic Chylothorax.

Ares came into our lives after much careful research on the Pyr and Akbash breeds. My sister has a Pyr and I witnessed the incredible bond they shared and knew I wanted that for myself. I found him on a FB group for Pyr’s and drove 3 hours to pick him our at 3 wks. He came home at 8 wks w/us. He’s not a working dog, but enjoys his walks, patrolling his yard, and hogging the fan and most of my bed.

Ares sleeps with me and fully takes up half of my bed or lays in my spot leaving me no covers. He is very good at telling me what he needs. To go outside, he rings a bell on the door or wakes me up with a low murmur that progresses to a full bark if I don’t respond immediately. He loves to play fetch in/outside with the cat toys as he’s been raised around 5 cats and loves them like his own pack.

Ares has specific best friends he knows by voice or sound of their car and gets so excited to see them. To most, he’s very intimidating, but really only wants a pet. He has a special bond with 2 of our cats and cuddles with them for naps The most special bond is ours. He is my spirit animal. We have a special way of communicating through his hugs, and I could literally take his scent in all day.

He was diagnosed with idiopathic chylothorax as fluid constantly leaks into his chest instead of back into his body to deliver vital nutrients. He desperately needs this surgery to fix the issue. Once fixed, he is a completely healthy pup at just 5 and has another 5-7 years to live out his cushy lifestyle of couch surfing and yard patrolling. I cannot lose my best friend, I’d be lost without him.

I’m a single mom living check to check. I’m told this surgery will cost upwards of $8000. W/O help, I CAN’T afford to do this. I’m terrified I will have to put him down due to qualify of life declining. To have Ares healthy would help our family bc he helps calm our anxiety.