Buster spent the first seven years of his life as an Amish mill stud before he was rescued and came home to us. For the first time, he got to be loved, safe, and truly part of a family. Until this spring, he had no major health issues and was finally getting to enjoy the life he always deserved.

Everything changed when Buster developed giardia in March. Since then, he has had persistent digestive problems, hair loss along his sides, increased thirst and urination, nighttime restlessness, and episodes of panting even while resting. We were especially worried about his kidneys, so in mid-April we ran bloodwork to make sure he could safely have a badly decaying tooth removed — a tooth the mill never cared for. Instead, we learned that Buster also has a stage 3 heart murmur.

Now Buster needs an ultrasound to make sure his heart can safely handle anesthesia for his dental procedure. That ultrasound will also allow the vet to examine his adrenal glands for possible Cushing’s disease, which could explain many of the symptoms he’s been having. Our happy, resilient boy has become more lethargic, less playful, more uncomfortable, and just not quite himself.

We want to give Buster as many good years out of the mill as he spent inside it. Every donation helps, and every dollar will go directly toward his testing, treatment, and care.