Ruby is a 3-year-old Doberman in Brooklyn, CT, who needs $2,000 for Liver Failure and Esophageal Reflux.

I got Ruby three years ago as a puppy from a Doberman breeder. She grew up with her sister Nala who came from the same breeder. Five months ago Nala passed at five years old, and now Ruby is sick at only three years old. I dreamed of having a Doberman of each color ever since I was a kid, and I named her Ruby for her beautiful red coat and because I knew she would shine like a ruby.

Ruby follows me more closely than my shadow to the point that she has knocked my shoes off the back of my feet. If I have a free hand, it must be on her. Ruby uses me as a pillow nightly, determined to protect me from every nonexistent threat. Her perch is the front window of my house where she can watch everything go by and occasionally growl at it too. She loves car rides with my sons.

Ruby loves to play fetch and thinks you should be able to throw the ball without having to give it back. When we go for walks she'll bravely defend me from every squirrel we see. Ruby is a master thief, nabbing animal crackers from my pockets. Ruby will talk your ears off, using her whines, moans, groans, and growls to express herself and believe me, you WILL hear her out.

Ruby was rushed to an ER vet on 3/18 for fear of bloat. After 11hrs they found she had a mild case of bloat and undetermined liver problems. After a week of no change and difficulty breathing, another vet visit had us try omeprazole and metoclopramide, with little effect. A third visit with a specialist led to meds to ease swallowing and relax her digestive tract. We hope to see a liver specialist

Four years ago I was in an accident where I was struck in the head and got a TBI that left me unable to walk or even speak. I have improved but am still disabled and can't work a regular full time job. My dog is part of my therapy and I would be devastated without her.