Roger is a three-year-old Labrador in Fort Worth, TX, who needs $2,000 for emergency surgery.

Even though Roger was on death's door, he kept winning hearts with his charm. It likely helped save him.

A week ago, Lucky Lab Rescue and Adoption received an urgent call from a municipal animal shelter. A wonderful and sweet Labrador, who got brought in off the street, needed help immediately. The dog was attacked. He had more than a dozen lacerations and injuries all over his body, including some near-fatal wounds. He needed emergency medical care, which the shelter could not provide, so workers contacted Lucky Lab.

"When we saw Roger, we knew we had to help him," Amy T., from Lucky Lab, tells Waggle. "Even though he was in pain, you could see he was trying to keep his happy-go-lucky game face on. There was no way I could say no. The shelter said Roger won the hearts of everyone who met him during his short time there."

Rescue volunteers picked up Roger and rushed him to Westcreek VCA Animal Hospital. The veterinarian called the rescue and said Roger was in such awful shape he needed surgery immediately. It appeared he was attacked, likely by coyotes or a pack of dogs. He was at death's door, and if he were bitten one more time, he probably would not have made it.

During four hours of surgery, Dr. Jill McNeil and her staff sutured, stitched, and sewed Roger back together. He came out of the operation with sutures just about everywhere, a drain tube from one wound, a head bandage, and an eye injury. When the animal hospital gave Lucky Lab the post-op update, they added, "He's just the nicest, most loving dog. We are so happy to help him."

Roger has to stay at the hospital for two weeks for bandage changes and wound care, so everything heals perfectly. He's in pretty fragile shape. Each time Lucky Lab gets an update from the staff, they tell them what an amazing dog Roger is. The good news: He is expected to recover and will hopefully be up for adoption in about a month. What a story, and what a dog! Go, Roger, go!

Lucky Lab Rescue and Adoption doesn't turn down dogs that need medical care, but the nonprofit rescue relies on donations to pay their tabs at the animal hospital. "Without donations from generous donors and help from organizations like Waggle, we would not be able to save all the dogs we do. We appreciate everyone who gives or shares Roger's fundraiser. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts," Amy adds. "Thank you for helping to save Roger's life."