River is a 1-year-old Mixed in Sioux Falls, SD, who needs $2,000 for Thoracotomy.

River came to our family from Almost Home Canine Rescue. The first dog that we rescued needed to be euthanized for seizures and was later diagnosed with distemper. River was our healing. She was the pick-me-up that we needed after that first difficult rescue. She has been with our family for a year now and we had just settled into a routine, when she got injured.

River is "a sour patch kid". She is so incredibly bossy and tells everyone what to do...and definitely what NOT to do. She loves to chase a good squirrel and she is forever forgetting that she is the smallest. One minute, she's tipping over the garbage and then suddenly, she's sweet and quiet and lying her head in my lap. The the most beautiful, naughty dog that I've ever had.

River is incredibly special to us because she really completed the pack. The house finally felt whole and now without her here, the house is way too quiet. I miss the way she gave me nose "boops" every day and stole my side of the bed. Nina asks for her every day and we are hopeful she can return to us.

"Booper" is currently at All City Pet Care - South. She has been there for 5 days now and potentially needs a trip to Blue Pearl Hospital in Des Moines, IA if she continues to struggle through the weekend. She is receiving a second chest tube and continues to have large amounts of air released from her lungs.

This injury has caused something that now has our family concerned that we may need to euthanize, simply because we can't pay UP FRONT costs. No one plans for $10,000 in care for their dog. Yet, here we are trying everything we can...because River deserves it. <3