Saving Private Rodger

Team fundraiser

Conor Stott and Amanda Harriss are organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Hi, my name is Conor Stott and I’ve created this fundraiser with my partner Amanda Harriss and my stepdaughter Charlotte, for our golden retriever: Rodger.

The best damn boy there ever was...

Rodger is 10 years old—and without a doubt—the most popular & wonderful dog we’ve ever had the good fortune to breathe the same air as! No dog we've ever known has ever had the general public wrapped round his paw like Rodger has.

Rodger has watched over our dear Charlotte since she came home from the hospital almost seven years ago, and he’s been her big snuggly moose to lean on ever since. He’s a tail-wagging ambassador to every human he meets, a watchful guardian to every child in sight, and 'Momma Rodge' to our two guinea pigs at home.

Until this Fall, Rodger has been extremely healthy and looking at another 4-5 twilight years ahead. About 4 weeks ago however, we felt rib cage and vertebrae appearing ominously under our fingertips as we stroked him—where usually we’d be grabbing handfuls of Grade-A, choice-cut, chunky, tender, free-range Rodgey meat.

(We’re not going to eat our dog, relax.)

Rodger dropped an alarming 15 pounds over the course of six weeks and an ultrasound has revealed a growing tumor inside his small intestine that will require surgery to remove it. If untreated, the tumor will continue to grow and eventually block his GI tract entirely—or it could rupture—killing him within hours.

The effects of this tumor are increasingly taking a toll on our Dodgey Boy: he’s lethargic, his appetite is nearly gone, and he’s vomiting several times a day. If this thing isn’t removed ASAP—he may not see Christmas. Which would suck, because he's so cute on Christmas (see below).

It’s humbling to ask for help with Rodger’s medical expenses. Truly, it is.

But the hard truth is that we simply cannot afford the estimated $2,700-$3,300 cost of life-saving surgery on top of the nearly $2,000 we’ve already spent on his diagnosis alone.

Most frustrating is that Rodger is otherwise exceptionally healthy! His care team at Rose City Veterinary has assured us that his organs, his blood, and his bones are all tip-top and in superior condition than expected for a golden retriever of his age. He’s still got some livin’ left to do, goddammit!!

That’s why we’re reaching out to you for help. Any amount you might contribute will be impactful on Rodger’s chance for life and forever appreciated by me, Amanda, and especially Charlotte. ♥️

Thank you so much for supporting us & supporting animals in general! It’s almost cruel that something as wonderful as a loving pet should enjoy so few days beside us under the sun.

Hug ‘em while you still got ‘em, folks...