“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”

Those wise words were spoken by Mark Twain many years ago, but still ring true today.  And, while losing a pet is devastating at any stage of life, there is something particularly heart-breaking about losing a little one before they’ve truly had a chance to live

Oso was only 5 months old when he died from a genetic condition called Persistent Right Aortic Arch (PRAA) that inhibits the growth of the esophagus, trapping it between the heart and the arch, and restricting food passage to the stomach.  Sadly, Oso didn’t have to die.  His “mom”, Jessica, applied to Harley’s Hope Foundation and many other safety net charities, for funding to cover surgery that could have corrected the problem and allowed Oso to grow up to be a healthy German Shepherd.  While HHF was willing to approve the application, Jessica was unable to secure the additional funding.

Why not?  The same old story – not enough funding to go around. 

This is an issue that plagues safety net charities more so than shelters or rescues that can raise funds through surrender and adoption fees and have “grateful clients,” who can afford to donate.  Our clients are struggling to pay the rent, utilities, food and medications for themselves, and come to us for help with sick and injured pets or for other types of assistance because they truly cannot afford it.  As a result, we always have more requests for help than funding, and hope the day will come when we can help any qualified person with an animal in need.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Jessica and her family.  No, we never met Oso, but we grieve his loss nonetheless, and will always wonder what might have happened if the surgery had taken place.  For now, we hope little Oso has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge and is happily playing with the big dogs like a healthy pup should.