This little girl’s name is Sammie. She is a 10-month old French Bulldog. And, she has been diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart defect consisting of four abnormalities that affect the heart’s ability to pump enough oxygenated blood to the body.

I received an e-mail from Sammie’s owner on Friday asking if we knew of any surgical interventions available for her, saying that he is “desperate to help her.” It broke my heart. But it also made me excited, because a) Sammie’s owner clearly cares a lot about her, b) he found The Big Hearts Fund online, and c) we can help. Dr. Allen forwarded a promising lead today of a cardiologist in the midwest who has performed several surgeries on Tetralogy of Fallot cases. I also urged Sammie’s owner to contact Colorado State University seeing as they are the only institution on the U.S. who readily offers open heart surgery for dogs and cats. I also encouraged him to contact some of the other great Veterinary Teaching Hospitals right here in the midwest.

Michael if you’re reading this – good luck to you and Sammie. She is very lucky to have you!