Tuff is a 14-year-old German Shepherd Mix in Bristol, CT, who needs $1,000 for Pain Management.

I fell in love with Tuff over the internet. He was 1 of 8 puppies born during a rain storm in Alabama. His mother was found shot on the side of the road and some wonderful volunteers went looking for the puppies. They were found on the top of a knoll in a saturated field. So tiny and their eyes were not even open yet. 6 out of the 8 puppies were still alive.

We had Tuff transported from Alabama to CT. His foster mother had her hands full bottle feeding the puppies around the clock. We got Tuff home at 7 weeks and continued to bottle feed him until he weaned fully to dog food. That created an amazing bond between us. In the 14 years he has been with us we have been blessed with 7 grandkids. He has put up with a lot from them and is their protector.

Sometimes I swear Tuff is human. He is amazing at reading my mood and seems to know 5 minutes before Daddy gets home. We got a puppy this year and Tuff is the best teacher. He barks when the puppy gets in garbage, on the furniture or jumps on people. It is like having a babysitter. He gets along with every dog he has ever met. He is so gentle with the babies he will even let them try his food.

Unfortunately being 14 comes with some problems. He seems to be going deaf quickly, but what really concerns me is his mobility. He is having a really hard time getting up and down. In the last couple days he has started breathing heavily too. I am afraid he is in pain and I am not able to do anything about it. He really needs to be seen by Dr. Wotton at Wolcott Vet Assoc. so we can help him.

Right before all this started we had to bury my mother in law. That took up our savings and we just can’t get ahead quick enough. I need to help my boy get out of pain. Dr. Wotton said there are meds that can help, but she has to see him, do some tests and monitor him.