Help Needed: Saving Duncan, Our Beloved Boy

Update: Dear Family, Friends, and Kind-hearted Strangers,

this morning around 1:30 am our little Duncan crossed the Rainbow bridge. He is now free of his pain, playing ball in lush green fields and digging holes in Gods garden. I just wanted to say thank you to those who said a prayer for him, shared our story and donated to help cover expensive of which their are many and are still piling up. Who knew their was cost to resuscitate your pet while in their care.

We plan to keep the Gofund up for a bit longer in order to help some the extraordinary cost associated to his hospital of care. As I mentioned the cost continues even after he has passed. As we sit in our living room in complete anguish and disbelieve. I would just like to say thank you all once again, and always make time for your little four legged fur babies. Time is swift and their lives are short. Shower them with love each day.

Dear Family, Friends, and Kind-hearted Strangers,

I’ve always been someone who prefers to handle things independently, but today, I find myself in a situation where I must reach out for help.

Eight years ago, we opened our hearts and home to a tiny 3-week-old puppy named Duncan. Rescued from a challenging environment, Duncan was brought in to be a companion for Loki, our 5-year-old rescue dog. This decision came six months after the sudden loss of our beloved beagle, Linus, which left us devastated.

Loki, known for his sweet temperament, was less than thrilled with the new addition. His initial reaction to Duncan was quite dramatic - he took one sniff at the newcomer, walked down the hallway, looked back at us, and marked his displeasure on our wall. Despite this rocky start, we believed that with time and love, Loki and Duncan could become great friends.

As time passed, Loki warmed up to Duncan. Despite Duncan’s playful habit of pulling on Loki’s tail fur (which did grow back, for those wondering), their bond strengthened. Loki transitioned from being an annoyed older sibling to becoming Duncan’s fearless protector. Their friendship is a testament to the power of patience, love, and the incredible bond that can form between our furry friends.

A few years passed, and we noticed that our eldest, Loki, was starting to show his age. He still had his moments of youthful energy, but he couldn’t quite keep up with Duncan’s boundless enthusiasm. Recognizing this, we decided to expand our family once more, bringing us to a total of five. Enter Buster, a lively little whirlwind who was all energy and play.

Duncan, much like Loki had been with him, was initially resistant to this new arrival. He did everything he could to avoid the rambunctious Buster. Loki, now the wise elder, watched from the sidelines as Duncan experienced the same playful terror he once inflicted.

But as with all things, time brought change. Buster, the once unwelcome intruder, became a beloved member of our family. Duncan, following in Loki’s paw prints, eventually warmed up to Buster. Loki, our oldest, assumed the role of their steadfast protector.

Up until recently, you could always find the three of them together. Despite each having their own bed, they preferred to sleep snuggled up together in one bed. You’d often find Duncan, fast asleep, using Loki’s back as a pillow.

Our past is a tapestry of beautiful memories, woven together by the unconditional love that only a dog can bring into our lives. But our present paints a different picture.

This week, our hearts have been heavy as we’ve watched our little Duncan struggle. His once healthy weight of 12lbs has dwindled to a mere 6lbs. The dog who once couldn’t resist the call of his ball in the yard now hesitates to go outside, his once lively trot reduced to a slow wobble.

Duncan has spent the last seven days in the hospital, and the vets seem as puzzled as we are. They can’t - or won’t - provide a clear reason for his illness. We’re constantly presented with options, each one accompanied by a growing price tag. A specialist could take a look, but not until Tuesday. A CT scan could provide answers, but it can’t be done until Monday.

With each new bill, it feels like the vets’ compassion is inversely proportional to the cost. It’s as if the dollar amount on the bill overshadows the well-being of our beloved pet. There are moments when we can’t shake the feeling that we’re being strung along, that the focus is more on the financial gain than on saving our beloved dog. And judging by some recent reviews, our suspicions might not be far off the mark.

We’re doing everything we can for Duncan, but it’s a challenging and emotionally draining time. We’re holding onto hope and doing our best to navigate through this difficult situation.

We’ve recently learned that our Duncan has diabetes. As his loving parents, we’re committed to doing everything within our power to care for him, both now and in the future. However, we’re still in the dark about what’s causing his current condition. After our last consultation, we were told we wouldn’t have any answers until Tuesday, 3/26/24, as we wait for the results and the availability of a surgeon. This additional step comes with a hefty price tag of another $6,400.

As pet parents, our decisions have always been guided by love, not by financial considerations. But the escalating costs are becoming more than we can handle. We’ve maxed out our credit cards and even applied for an additional one to cover what looks like another $12,000 in upcoming expenses.

In the wake of our beagle’s departure, we discovered a lifeline in the form of a tiny paw - Duncan. That little paw ushered in a wave of love, joy, and countless cherished memories. Today, we’re channeling all our efforts to reciprocate that love and care to Duncan in his hour of need.

Any assistance you can provide would be immensely appreciated. Thank you for your kindness and support.