Success Stories
These campaigns reached their goal. Thank you for making it happen.
Duke
Duke is a five-year-old Belgian Malinois in Miami, FL, who needs $1,800 for an MRI.
Miami, FL
Diana P. is at a heartbreaking crossroad. Her family's dog, Duke, needs expensive tests, including an MRI, to figure out what's causing him severe pain when he walks. She doesn't have the money to pay for his care. She launched this Waggle campaign as her last hope! "Duke became a part of my family five years ago," Diana tells Waggle. "He has always been a happy dog playful. He started limping in October. I paid for several veterinary visits and multiple medications. I am an unemployed single mother and cannot afford the MRI. How can I explain to my children it is breaking my heart to give him away and put my family through that pain?" His neurologist at Southeast Veterinary Neurology believes Duke may have an inverted vertebrae. "My kids and Duke like playing together with the frisbee, which he can't do because of his left back leg pain. My daughter bathes him, and he cries. We need to help him. Even after taking painkillers; his leg fails him. We tried everything humanly possible and control his environment, so he rests and does not overly stress his leg," Diana says. Duke is such a good boy. He used to like outrunning the kids while they rode their bikes. But now, he can barely walk. Diana is hoping if you're reading this, you will give to his campaign and "pay it forward" to help Duke and her family. "My kids and I have endured my divorce, and due to COVID, I lost my job," Diana says. "We need help for Duke. He is in pain. This has put my family through a lot of psychological stress."
Fluffy
Fluffy is a one-year-old Corgi in College Station, TX, who needs $1,000 for emergency heart surgery.
College Station, TX
When Anna Y. heard Fluffy, a sweet and loving Corgi, needed a new home because her owners were moving, she jumped at the chance to adopt her. "We are dedicated to providing love and care for her," Anna tells Waggle. And Fluffy became an instant fit and colossal hit in Anna's family. "She knows when the kids have to get out from home in the morning and is trying to escape after them to escort them to school. She also sits and waits for them by the front door to be the first one to meet them when they are back. She loves family time together and curls up by the sofa during movie nights on weekends," Anna says. So their family, who grew to love Fluffy, were devastated when they found out she has a heart condition that needs urgent surgery. "Fluffy has a small hole in a vessel by her heart. This created a heart enlargement and may result in heart failure if it's not fixed. Luckily our cardiologist Caitlin Stoner with Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Texas A&M University discovered the issue and is working with us on fixing it," Anna says. Anna also has a broken heart -- because she can't afford Fluffy's surgery. The cost is more than she makes in a month. "I am currently working on my Ph.D. from Texas A&M University and, as a graduate assistant and get paid $1,600 a month," Anna says. "My older son David is an undergraduate student in the same university, and my younger kids are small to work. Any help is very much needed now."
Festus
Festus is a three-month-old Golden Retriever in Dallas, TX, who needs $1,430 for emergency leg surgery.
Dallas, TX
Denise F. came to the rescue of an adorable but unwanted Christmas puppy. "This precious angel was given to a sweet young couple for a Christmas gift," Denise tells Waggle. "As goes with so many puppies, they were not ready or capable of taking care of him. They lived in a small apartment with no yard. Both worked full time and just didn't have time to care for any type of animal, much less a puppy." So when Denise heard Festus was in need, she instantly fell in love with his sweet face and dark brown kind eyes. "I am single, have two pups of my own, but just couldn't pass up taking this little guy in," she says. "I had him for about two weeks. He was playing with my Dachshund on their doggie bed and flipped over. I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but my vet simply said, 'It was just one of those freak accidents.' He broke his femur in his right hind leg. I'm devastated." Festus needs urgent surgery to fix his leg. The estimate at a specialty hospital for his surgery is $4500. "I will do anything and everything I have to do to get him healthy," Denise says. "I just don't make that kind of money, and it is putting a huge strain on me financially. I asked (the hospital) if there was any assistance and I was told, 'Yes, but I would have to give him up.' 'No. No. No,'" was Denise's response. Festus has already become part of Denise's pack. "My pups are my family, and I would do anything for them," Denise says. "Festus is the typical Golden Retriever puppy. I'm constantly laughing. He is just one big goofball. I would give my life for my pups. I love this little guy with all my heart and want what's best for him. I am incredibly humbled by any assistance possible." Please help Festus get back on his feet again!
Tegan
Tegan is a 14-year-old Chihuahua in Spring, TX, who needs $1,304 for cancer treatment.
Spring, TX
Sharese V., and her dog Tegan, can't seem to catch a break. When Tegan was a puppy, she was diagnosed with three mast cell tumors. She underwent multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and won that battle with cancer. Now, 13 years later, Tegan has cancer again. This time she's battling stage three carcinoma in her mammary glands. Sharese tells Waggle Tegan has a great team helping her at Texas A&M University's veterinary hospital, but she's struggling to pay the medical bills for Tegan's treatment which are around $7000. "I am currently between jobs but interviewing," Sharese says. "I will do whatever it takes to save her life. Words can't describe what she means to me." Tegan first came into Sharese's life 14 years ago. The first day Sharese had Tegan, she cried all night, and so did Sharese because she thought Tegan hated her! But soon after that, the pair became inseparable. As Sharese writes this, Tegan is right next to her. She is the most lovable Chihuahua. Sharese launched this fundraiser for Tegan, hoping those who read it might "pay it forward" and help Tegan win her battle cancer once again. "Thank you to family, friends, and strangers for your love and support," Sharese says.
Brody
Brody is a six-year-old mixed breed dog in Mill Creek, WA, who needs $2,000 for emergency surgery to repair a ruptured disc.
Mill Creek, WA
Christopher R. is shocked, heartbroken, and needs your help. His beloved dog, Brody, suddenly started having difficulties walking a couple of days ago. "Brody began to lose his ability to walk with his hind legs," Christopher tells Waggle. "As of yesterday, he lost the ability to use them at all. I took him to an emergency vet, BluePearl. They quickly diagnosed him with a ruptured disc in his spine. He's on the verge of being paralyzed, leaving me with the tough choice of euthanasia. But he's only six years old. He's got a lot of life and love left to give." Christopher frantically started asking about medical options to treat Brody. Surgery is a promising option, but it costs thousands of dollars that Christopher doesn't have. "Brody came into my life when I needed him most," Christopher says. "I was struggling with mental health issues, feeling hopeless and unsure of my life. He's been by my side since the day I brought him home. He's my everything. He's a loving fella, always down for a good belly rub or an ear scratch. He's good at giving hugs and loves everybody, little or small." Christopher is panicking and trying to raise the money so Brody can have the operation. He's hoping you see Brody's sweet face and find it in your heart to give to his campaign. "I just need help. I love him, and he's my good boy! I couldn't imagine life without him. He brings a smile to everyone's face who meets him! Every little bit counts, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless you all."
Peanut
Peanut is a two-year-old Pitbull mix in Williamston , MI, who needs $600 for heartworm treatment.
williamston, MI
Peanut was a stray in Detroit. The Pit Bull mix was cold, dirty, and skin and bones thin. Some good Samaritans found him, took him home, cleaned him up, and helped him become healthier. After a couple of weeks, his rescuers looked for Peanut's forever home. And that's when Jordan A. first met Peanut. "He was a perfect fit right away. He was slowly starting learning how to be a dog again," Jordan tells Waggle. Jordan brought Peanut to Cedar Creek Veterinary Clinic for vaccinations and a check-up. That's where he learned Peanut tested positive for heartworm. Since he was a stray, no one was giving him monthly preventative to prevent the terrible condition. If a dog tests positive for heartworm and is not treated, the worms continue to grow in the dog's heart, and the dog will die an agonizing death. Now Jordan is struggling to pay for Peanut's heartworm treatment. He created this Waggle campaign hoping generous pet lovers will chip in and help him save Peanut's life. "We were not planning on bringing Peanut home or any dog, but when we saw him, we knew he was meant for our family. What we didn't know was the extent of his medical needs, but we do know is that he deserves a second chance at life and happiness," Jordan says. Peanut has fit in perfectly with Jordan's family, and with your help, they want to give him a new "leash" on life. "He is special because he is a fighter, and despite all he has been through, he is sweet, loving, well behaved, and just overall a super sweet boy," Jordan says. "Peanut loves to give hugs, he will wait until you invite him to climb up and give you a hug, and sometimes he will even sneak in a kiss, even for his siblings sometimes."
Mason
Mason is a nine-month old Labrador pup in Austin, TX who needs $2,000 for surgery and physical rehabilitation.
Lewisville, IN • Lucky Lab Rescue & Adoption
Mason was the victim of a hit and run! This nine-month-old pup was struck by a car and left in a ditch. Finally, someone called animal control. Officers brought him to a shelter in Houston, where he languished for days. One of his hips was fractured, and his other hip was dislocated. He also had a shattered knee. When Lucky Lab Rescue and Adoption heard about Mason, one of their volunteers raced to the shelter, picked him up, and drove him to Austin. The rescue arranged for Mason to have emergency orthopedic surgery with one of the top surgeons in The Lone Star State, Dr. Bevan, at Central Texas Veterinary Specialty Emergency Hospital. Dr. Bevan says Mason was worth saving. The pup is young and spry. His bones are still green, and he will bounce back. He performed surgery on one of Mason's hips and reconstructed his knee on the same leg. After that side of Mason's body heals, he will likely need surgery on his other hip and be neutered at the same time. "At one point, I genuinely thought Mason was not going to have a good quality of life, and we were going to have to let him go," Amy T., with the rescue, tells Waggle. "It's a miracle Dr. Bevan was able to fix him up enough to give him a shot at a great life." Amazing donors helped the rescue get Mason's initial surgery done, but his recovery is just beginning. He will start water therapy three times a week for many weeks, if not months to build his strength and conditioning back up to where it should be for a nine-month-old puppy. Then his medical team will assess how to fix his other hip. Lucky Lab Rescue and Adoption is an all-volunteer rescue, no one who helps run the rescue gets paid. All the donations go to the dogs. The group takes on tough medical cases, like Mason. "Mason's expenses will continue long into the future, but we know he is worth it," Amy says. "And thanks to Waggle, we are able to help raise the funds needed to pay his amazing vets."
Erica
Erica is a Chihuahua mix puppy in Moab, UT, who needs $1,724 for urgent surgery.
Moab, UT • Underdog Animal Rescue and Rehab- Moab
Days after Underdog Rescue and Rehab saved Puppy Erica; they noticed she wasn't eating and was losing weight. Her foster family brought her to Mill Creek Animal Hospital, where the medical team ran tests. Then the staff rushed Erica in for exploratory surgery, and good thing they did! "Our surgeon found part of her intestines were compromised, and she needed them removed," Cheyleen P., with the rescue, tells Waggle. "Erica's vet bills have racked up to over $5,000." Now the nonprofit group is rushing again, this time to raise the money to pay Erica's medical tab! "Being able to help sick and injured animals so frequently is something we are blessed to be able to do here at Underdog, and it wouldn't be possible without all of our lovely donors. Every penny helps," Cheyleen says. The rescue wants anyone considering giving to Erica's campaign to know she is worth every penny! "Erica is not like most Chihuahuas," Cheyleen adds. "She is snugly and sweet and not vocal at all. Erica would prefer to be held and snuggled more than anything else. She is sassy and knows she is adorable, and uses it to her advantage. This tiny, little five-pound pup is stronger than most humans we know. Erica deserves a shot at a normal life." In fact, Erica has won the hearts of her foster family! "Erica was placed into foster care so she can heal and recover in the comfort of a loving home," Cheyleen adds. "Her new foster siblings have fallen head over heels, and her foster parents weren't far behind. Erica's lovely foster parents plan to adopt her as soon as she is available. They cannot imagine life without her now." Please help Underdog pay the veterinary bills for their latest underdog!
Cleo
Cleo is a 11-year-old Grey Domestic Shorthair in Warwick, RI, who needs $2,000 for Dental Cleaning and Extractions , punch biopsy.
Warwick, RI
In 2012 my Mother, who volunteers at a animal shelter, needed an emergency foster placement for a very pregnant cat. My partner David agreed to take her in until they found another foster as long as I helped. He named her Cleopatra (Cleo). I was lucky enough to see Cleo birth her 4 kittens 2 days later. She was a great Mom and Dave and I decided to keep her because we had simply fallen in love. Cleo's nickname is Lil' Squeaky because her meow is a tiny squeak. She loves to watch the birds and squirrels outside and to attack the broom when she sees it under the door. Cleo will sit, give you her paw and gently take a treat from our fingers. She likes to tunnel into our jackets and make herself a comfy nest. When we watch tv or movies Cleo settles herself right between Dave and I. Experiencing Cleo give birth and raise her kittens created a strong bond between David, Cleo and I, she quickly became our furrbaby. In 2015 David saved Cleo when his apartment building burned down. She was the only cat saved. Cleo is so special to us, she makes us laugh with her zoomies and when she rolls around to show us her belly. Brushing her velvety fur and feeling her soft purr is calming. Cleo sees Dr. Seth Snow at Hill & Harbour Veterinary Center. Dr. Snow brought to our attention that a number of Cleo's teeth need to be removed due to FORL, a painful dental condition. Dr.Snow also felt a lump along Cleo's mammary glands and is concerned. He will take a biopsy to check for cancer while he does her teeth. The estimate has gone from $1,200 to now $2,600-$2,900. Dave is retired and on a fixed income. I am struggling with the sudden onset of physical and mental health conditions that leave me unemployable. We know we will have to find a way to pay the balance up to almost $3000. However, the thought of Cleo in pain is unacceptable.