Week-Old Cleft Palate Pup Dumped By Breeder, Nearly Succumbs To Death (See Below)

Lucy Gray came to us after being callously abandoned by the very people who should have led the charge to take care of this innocent little girl. But they didn’t. Now, in agony with multiple digestion issues, this cleft palate baby is battling TOOTH and NAIL to survive—despite being extremely tiny and vulnerable.

We were made aware of this itty-bitty soul when she was a mere week-old puppy. Helpless and not growing like her siblings, she was given up by a breeder due to her congenital defects and—likely—the fact that she wouldn’t have made the same profit as her littermates. We are utterly heartbroken that this innocent life was shunned.

The vet’s office, where she was tossed aside, immediately called us for help, hoping we could give this baby a place to rest her weary head. Her eyes were wide with fear and confusion. She had been torn from her mother’s teat far too early and just wanted to nap and eat food—but everything hurt.

We began caring for her, which meant 24/7 attention to ensure that she was comfortable and fed. We started her on a tube and syringe schedule, and soon, she was doing so well that we upgraded her to individually served tiny kibbles. But just as she began this new milestone, another hurdle appeared.

Lucy Gray fell ill. Her breathing became shallow and troublesome. Our worst fears were confirmed at the hospital - she was suffering from a potentially large esophagus. The situation was all too familiar, reminiscent of Dimitri, another one of our beloved rescues who suffered from an autoimmune disorder. We knew that the only thing we could do in the moment was provide this sweet girl with a makeshift Bailey's chair to help her digest properly, to make sure she wasn't in agony with every single meal. Lucy Gray’s inconsistent health and low sugar levels resemble Dimitri’s condition. Our little girl has her spells of ups and downs; some days, she shows signs of improvement, and on others, she seems anemic.

She is undergoing an extensive medical care routine that has, in the past 36 hours, cost us no less than $6,000. We BARELY have these funds, but we are giving Lucy Gray everything we’ve got. Her platelet count is not drastically concerning; however, establishing a catheter has been challenging due to her petite size. Despite her suffering, she shows small signs of hope on occasion, like the moment she latched onto a staff member after a long time. Even the sight of her little teeth coming through brought a ray of sunshine.

Our team of dedicated vets and volunteers is leaving NO STONE UNTURNED. A consultation with a neurologist has been arranged the moment we suspected that Lucy may have suffered a neurological episode. But we need YOU to help us continue to make Lucy Gray’s top-notch medical care a reality. We’ve raised nearly $4,000, setting us halfway to our goal.

Lucy Gray’s journey so far has been stressful, with breathing difficulties and suspected esophageal diverticula. But in these testing times, we see strength, determination, and a will to fight back. We watch her every day, hoping and doing our best for her to pull through, just as Dimitri did.

This girl is fighting the battle of her life, and she needs your support. Every contribution counts and helps continue her courageous journey. Please consider donating today to her life-saving medical fund or purchasing items from her wish list of much-needed supplies. ANYTHING you give will go a long way for this sweet soul. Thank you so much, and we will be sure to keep you updated!