Chucky is suffering from congestive heart failure and needs your help.

Chucky became an AATDR dog several months ago, and he's made so much progress! He is learning that people can be his friends, and he is increasingly willing and able to socialize in this big, wide world. Now we need to help him heal physically. Without lifesaving surgery to implant a pacemaker, Chucky is in real danger of sudden death.

The medications prescribed by his cardiologist aren't helping nearly as much as hoped. He is still suffering from congestive heart failure. He has a "total block" which means that his heart doesn't pump blood effectively with every beat - it is erratic in its ability to do that. He has degenerative valve disease and an abdomen full of fluid from heart failure, even with the medications. His heart rate is only a maximum of 40 beats per minute. The only way it can be corrected is with a pacemaker. With the pacemaker, we're told the prognosis is excellent. It is expected to be curative, and will allow Chucky to live an active, normal life although he will always need periodic re-checks.

Up until being found as a stray in Waterbury CT and spending over 6 months at Waterbury Animal Control, Chucky's history is unknown. Given his medical status and his initial distrust of humans, however, it seems safe to assume that his life had not been a happy one. At the pound, Chucky was hard to "read" - he was unpredictably unsure of some people - so much so that he was listed as "rescue only" - meaning he could leave the pound only if he was under the care of an approved rescue organization.

When the pound became full he was scheduled for euthanasia, and we thankfully were able to take him into rescue and thus save his life. Now we need to save it a second time! He's gone through a board and train program. He's learning to trust - possibly for the first time in his life. He is relaxed and happy in his foster home. He is increasingly able to make new human friends. He enjoys the company of other dogs.

Chucky is all set to be able to live a long and happy life ... except that his heart condition is likely to kill him before he has a chance to experience that! Please join with us to fight for Chucky's life!

We need to raise $10,000 - the surgery alone is estimated to cost a minimum of $5,103.50 and a maximum of $5,777.63. We have already spent almost $5,000 on appointments and diagnostics, between his primary vet and his cardiologist. He's had two electrocardiograms and two echocardiograms done. He's had bloodwork done several times. He was treated for two tick-related illnesses when he first came to us - and is being retreated because the positive results of his most recent tick tests were higher than would be the case normally for a dog who had previously been infected. We are currently tapped out. We cannot provide what Chucky needs without your help!

Please join Chucky's team by donating as generously as you possibly can, today! He is scheduled for his pacemaker surgery on September 1. We must pay the bill date of service.

Chucky needs your help right away!