Gus is a 2-month-old Heeler Mix in Tucson, AZ, who needs $1,164 for Oral Surgery - Level 1.

Gus is a 7-8 week heeler mix that I rescued at the beginning of February. In short, I got him from a man at a gas station with a basket of two puppies. He was vague - evasive - on their birthday, mom's status, everything. Gus wasn't particularly clean, had a belly full of worms, and was somewhat laconic - boy did that change!

Gus is the apple of everyone's eye - he is so sweet, smart, and mischievous! He loves cuddles with his big brother, being the boss of everyone, and chasing after feet and ankles. And oh the snuggles! Because I will never put him back in a metal crate, and he has to be watched carefully, and I've been sleeping with him on my stomach so I know if he moves. He snuggles right up and begins snoring.

Gus is the ruler of this house, after almost no time. He herds his very big brother into playtime, into giving up toys and, if he had his way, he'd eat his brother's food too! Gus is Gus because of his little squeak, that so reminds me of the mouse Gus from Cinderella - Gus Gus definitely needs a fairy godparent right now.

Gus got his jaw stuck while chewing on his metal crate - I will never forget the sound and site of him screaming. To free himself, he ripped away part of the top of his jawbone. We went from one vet who advised euthanasia to another who admitted Gus to the ICU, to Dr. Sawtelle who operated to keep Gus here with us. Now we have a bit of road ahead before he is back to harassing his brother.

Things were tight before - I work two part time jobs while trying to finish a degree - and now are pretty dire. Gus's bills are not the 25k the first vet estimated, thank goodness, but still enough to threaten our housing. I'm just so happy and thankful he is still here.