Izzy (aka Runtin) is a 1-year-old Pitbull in Billings, MT, who needs $1,600 for Persistent Aortic Arch Repair.

Izzy and her brothers and sisters were abandoned by their mom at just 2 weeks old so my daughter Makiah and I took over all of their care. Izzy and my daughter fell in love at first sight! Makiah named her Izzy after our Pomeranian we had for 8 years that was killed and we also call her Runtin because she was the smallest in her liter.

My daughter has a 5 year old cat named Kitty that we adopted as a kitten from a rescue shelter, we also have a male pit bull named Von who Izzy absolutely loves so we call her Daddy! Izzy is the sweetest loving baby girl! She is very playful and happy! Even though she was the runt of the litter she was the strongest; she got up and took off walking in only a week and a half old.

I have a heart condition and I care for my daughter who is immunosuppressed, has chronic lung disease and also has a tracheostomy and ventilator. During this time of COVID-19 we are having to be extremely cautious and I am not working and it has been hard to make ends meet.

Izzy was doing very well and gaining weight being bottle fed until she was about 3 1/2 weeks old. She began to vomit and have formula coming from mouth and nose every time she would eat and would choke and stop breathing once and I blew in her mouth to help her. She was diagnosed with persistent right aortic arch and her health was fading fast & life saving surgery was needed immediately.

Izzy (aka Runtin) and my daughter have a very special bond. My daughter is 19 but has struggled with serious chronic health issues since birth and has had 53 surgeries. When Runtin started getting sick my daughter would hold her and tell her “You’re gonna be OK you’re going to make it through this because we are survivors“ Runtin is very special and we absolutely love her!