Rufus is a 8-year-old Chi-Poodle in Bean Station, TN, who needs $800 for treatment for Congestive Heart Failure.

Rufus came in to my life after I agreed to dog sit for the week when he was 4 months old. They never came back to get him and he quickly became one of the family. In 2016, when Rufus was 5 y/o, we survived a devastating wildfire in Gatlinburg where he became my hero and my certified ESA. Only 3 months later, we would lose my husband of 20 years and Rufus' pet guardian daddy to cardiac arrest.

Rufus is my protector. He guards and protects me from any and all harm. After surviving the wildfires and loss of my husband, we became inseparable. Every minute of every day is spent with each other and his now 3 y/o sister, Roxie. The 3 of us are never without the other. Roxie came from the woman that stopped to try and save my husband when he went into cardiac arrest. She is also my certified ESA.

I am currently laid off due to Covid-19 and am on unemployment. I have not received any payments through no fault of my own for over 2 months and am desperate to get Rufus stable and back home with me. As I have mentioned, he is my certified ESA and I am so lost without him.

2 weeks ago, he began coughing with some wheezing in his chest. He would stand up and fall to one side. A week ago he took a turn for the worse and his chest began to swell. I am unemployed currently due to Covid and had no money. I called many vets for help but Dr. Mangum of Appalchian Animal Hospital seen him and admitted him. Rufus is diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure and a possible stroke.

Rufus gives me strength to get up and keep going every day. He gives me hope and faith. He allows me to laugh and smile. To continue living with purpose and meaning. He protects me and keeps my anxiety down. He is my rock. He has an extra row of bottom teeth so he looks like he is always smiling. He is so full of love and is always excited to greet me with nothing but love.