Freckles is a 8-month-old Cockalier who needs $2,000 for Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt.

Freckles came to us completely by surprise and happy accident. After we moved to a smaller house in a smaller town, we woke up to a litter of puppies. The dog who birthed them is a senior dog, and Freckles was born with genetic hydrocephalus, even though there is none in her family tree. She spends her days sleeping on a big dog bed in our bedroom.

While Freckles enjoys having the bedroom to roam during the day, she has a cozy house at night so she doesn’t hurt herself. She loves to snuggle with our big old St Bernard mix in the mornings, but gets anxious around lots of movement. The kids love her and she is calm and patient when they love on her.

Freckles is more cat than dog a lot of the time. She makes no noises outside of happy groans when I rub her ears, and she circles my feet when I stand near her. She’s never happy to give up pets and will continue to rub on me if I stop. She also spreads kibble all over the floor when she eats and turns the floor into a crunchy minefield!

400 characters is not enough to convey how desperately I want to get help for Freckles. She will require a shunt to drain fluid from her brain, and is on constant meds for pneumonia since she aspirates when she eats. Dr Brady at Shenandoah Animal Hospital has given her wonderful loving care, and we hope he can help make her life whole.

I stay home with two young kids, and have been facing health problems of my own stemming from my disabled veteran status. If it is between fixing me or fixing Freckles, the choice is easy. I cannot get insurance for her since it is deemed a preexisting condition.