Dallas's Second Chance: How KodiakCare Helped Make That Happen

Last June, a four-year-old Pitbull named Dallas came to Dakin’s Community Spay/Neuter Clinic fighting for her life. She was suffering from pyometra, a dangerous uterine infection, and hadn’t eaten in over a week. Her person, Raul, had originally taken her to a veterinary practice for treatment, but was challenged by the cost of treating her condition. Raul, was devastated—he loved Dallas dearly and was desperate to see her survive.

When Dallas arrived, weak and dehydrated, she still managed to wag her tail at our medical team, even when she received injections. We knew she was in serious danger, but we were determined to save this sweet girl. As we contemplated Dallas’s recovery, we were afraid it would be difficult due to her weakened state. A typical recovery plan for a dog in her condition would include IV fluids and specific medications, so we consulted with Raul and came up with a plan for him to provide care for Dallas in the comfort of her home. Then Dallas was brought into surgery.

Her recovery wasn’t easy. Dallas struggled to eat while at home, so we asked Raul to bring her back in for a treatment. Dallas entered the Clinic, tail wagging as usual and offered friendly greetings, but planted herself on the floor, unwilling to enter an exam room. Since the patient weighed about 80 pounds, we decided to bring her treatments to her in the lobby at that time. Our staff stayed late to give her fluids, nausea meds, and anything that might tempt her appetite. She finally accepted freeze-dried chicken dipped in wet dog food, and was hand-fed about a half-can of it.

From that moment forward, Dallas got better every day. Soon she returned to greet us with her trademark wiggly butt and pittie smile, happily pulling Raul through our lobby doors. Dallas’s surgery, and the careful planning that went into her recovery was a huge win for Dallas, Raul, and our dedicated team. It brings all of us great joy to see a pet like Dallas triumph, when the odds were not in her favor. Things looked bleak in the beginning, but thanks to KodiakCare, we were able to provide the surgery and multiple days of follow up treatments that Dallas needed to pull through.  

KodiakCare is a nonprofit founded by Glenn and Nancy Shapiro in memory of their beloved Bernese Mountain Dog, Kodiak, who experienced multiple medical challenges over the years. While the Shapiros were able to meet their pet’s medical needs, they understand that not everyone is able to similarly cover unexpected costs, so KodiakCare came to the rescue. “Kodiak was with us for nine years longer than expected, and all pet parents should have that chance,” Glenn shared.  

Thanks to KodiakCare’s mission to save dogs by providing funding for critical veterinary care, Raul and Dallas can have that greatest of gifts; more time together.