Oakley is a 8-year-old Mixed Breen Dog in Lynchburg, VA, who needs $1,162 for Arthritis/Heart Murmur.

As a freshman in college (Circa 2014), I knew the very first thing I would do once moving out of the dorms was adopting my very own dog. Sure enough, I moved out and within a few short months I found Oakley(formerly named Biscuit) at the Lynchburg Humane Animal Society. He was only two months old at the time, now eight years, and has been by my side ever since.

Oakley is by the definition a grumpy old man, who wants nothing more than to be a lazy "front porch" pooch. He thoroughly enjoys cuddles, belly rubs, and long naps. Like many hound breeds, his favorite time of the day is meal time. And he won't let you forget it! Usually ten minutes before mealtime, Oakley can be found nudging me through the house to find his food bowl.

Oakley is special to me because he has quite literally been with me through the hardest season's of my life. Over the years Oakley has helped me face poverty, PTSD, pregnancy, child-rearing, and the general day to day stressors. Oakley became my official Emotional Support Animal(ESA) in 2022, and I truly cannot imagine my life without him.

Oakley and I went into his annual vet appt this morning to get some xrays done on his hip. We found arthritis, which was expected but still costly and also requires life long treatment and liver monitoring due to the medications required. We also found out that Oakley has a heart murmur. More testing is required to figure out an exact treatment, but the estimated cost....is a lot.

The heart murmur was an unexpected diagnosis, and I was not financially prepared for. I want nothing more than to give Oakley the quality of life he deserves. Knowing he is not in pain and able to live out the rest of his life as a happy dog would be a huge burden lifted.