Jennifer's Page

I am posting because I am at a loss with my new puppy, and I am here writing about my dilemma with hopes that this can help her stay alive.

My name is Jennifer, a 22-year old recent college grad. Unfortunately, I have come across a dilemma with a certain member in my family... my new 12-week old puppy.

As soon as I got the news that I would be going off the graduate school in another city, I immediately knew it was time to find me a puppy. I wasn't able to have a pet while in college because living arrangements kept me from doing so. I searched breeder websites and online classified ads to find a little puppy I wanted to call my own. Nothing could describe what I felt when I saw the sweet little face of my Tara. She was only 9 weeks old at the time, and I couldn't help but inquire about her. Within a few days, she was mine, and I couldn't have been more proud of my new addition!

Shortly after, I took her to a veterinarian to get a physical exam, and the veterinarians found a heart murmur in her tiny 1.5 pound body. What started as happiness and a nominal office visit fee immediately turned into a $400 bill that included x-rays and an echocardiogram. The results were horrible. Tara was found to have Patent Ductus Arteriosus, also known as PDA, which means the ductus arteriosus in her heart never closed after birth like it should have. When the ductus arteriosus remains open or patent after birth, this abnormal communication between the aorta and pulmonary artery passes extra volumes of blood into the lungs. If untreated, 60% of affected dogs die within a year of diagnosis. Unfortunately, the surgery is between $2,800 and $3,100... definitely not something a student could afford, and I am just completely heartbroken. I committed to owning this puppy, and I feel miserable knowing that I could never be able to provide for her survival. Looking into her eyes knowing that I can't keep her alive is just devastating, and returning her to the breeders would guarantee her death because they are not willing to pay for this procedure.

Although it's extremely hard to deal with Tara's condition, I know that she was placed in my care for a reason - to keep her alive. So, I created a website spreading the word about Tara's story, including a donation option to help fund her very much needed surgery. My only issue now is getting the word out to the public, and hopefully catching the attention of fellow animal-lovers.

PLEASE visit www.SaveMyPuppy.net and take a look at Tara's story and how you could help change her unfortunate fate!

Thank you SO much!
Jennifer V.
jenbabe1313@hotmail.com