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The Clay Fund
Last Updated: 01 June 2007
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When Clay, GoldHeart’s first dog, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, his family and all GoldHeart members realized what a difference he had made in all our lives. Clay had come to symbolize the mission of all rescues - a dedication to helping Golden Retrievers find new homes where they can share their love with their adoptive family.
The Clay Fund was created to provide assistance to senior and other special needs' GoldHeart dogs who face significant medical and other challenges in foster and adoptive homes. Through The Clay Fund, Clay will have an impact on those extra-special dogs who need us and who want to follow in Clay's pawprints to achieve the best life we can provide.
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Clay Fund donations can be mailed to:
GoldHeart
P.O. Box 206
Mount Airy, MD 21771
You can also donate using a PayPal account or a major credit card.
Donate via PayPal
Thank you for your donation, please watch this page for updates on each dog's progress.
Provided below are the stories and pictures of the dogs in need of help from this fund for medical treatment and dogs that have been helped and are now living full, pain free lives. We invite you to read their stories, they will touch your heart.
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Austin
We want everyone to see, we have a much improved Austin - After being struck by a truck, and losing a leg, he has struggled with in his recovery. We are happy to report he is getting better, be it slowly. He is grateful, as we are, for all of the wonderful people that have contributed to his medical expenses.
Austin escaped from his home and wandered out onto a busy 4 lane highway and was struck by a truck. The driver of the truck didn't stop, but a kind person saw what happened and summoned a local veterinarian. The veterinarian and his staff rushed to Austin's aid. Austin's hind leg was
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crushed and he had multiple cuts and bruises. When the hospital staff contacted Austin's owner, the owner elected to put Austin to sleep. The doctor was unwilling to do that so he consulted with a local orthopedic surgeon and together they decided it would be necessary to amputate the leg. The surgery and immediate post operative care was provided without charge. Unfortunately 24 hour care was not available, so the veterinarian contacted GoldHeart. Austin was welcomed with open arms and placed in a loving foster home. On the first night in the foster home he went into respiratory distress and had to be rushed to an emergency veterinary hospital. They have since had to remove fluid from his lungs on several occasions. He is on pain medication, but still experiences considerable pain. This has severely affected his appetite and his foster family is having to hand-feed him to get him to eat. Austin appears to be on the mend, but his recovery road will be long and steep. Please donate what you can to help Austin. Use the PayPal button above or send a check to GoldHeart.
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Rusty
Hi! I'm Rusty - the Clay fund is paying for my cancer treatments.
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Rusty was literally a junk yard dog. For many years he was forced to live on a concrete slab behind a automobile repair facility. To his good fortune a good Samaritan rescued him and got him into rescue. When he arrived, he was severely hypo-thyroid and had gain a tremendous amount of weight as a result of this condition. He weighed 133 lbs and was having trouble getting around. With thyroid medication and decent food, he trimmed down to a svelte 106 lbs. Still a big boy, but with a lot more energy. Just as after he was adopted, he was diagnosed with lymphoma. He is now back in rescue and undergoing cancer treatment. If you can help, please contribute to the Clay Fund for Rusty. He will be eternally grateful.
10/15/06 - Rusty's cancer is in remission and he is doing much better. He has several more months before he will be finished with his treatment, but the doctors are hopeful that he will continue to respond well to treatment. Thank you to those that sent donations to help pay for his treatment.
11/4/06 - Rusty's cancer is still in remission and he is loving life.
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Shiloh
Hi! I'm Shiloh - they tell me I need a new hip.
Shiloh is only 17 months old and he has trouble running and playing. He has hip dysplasia. His hip socket is not properly formed and it causes him pain to run and jump. As an active young Golden is really puts a damper on his life. He would like to find his forever family, but until his hip is fixed he will need to remain in rescue. We can only imagine the discomfort he experiences everyday. Your contribution to the Clay fund can help Shiloh and the other dogs the come into rescue needing medical treatment.
10/15/06 - The doctors have decided to postpone his surgery for now and treat him with medication until his frame fully develops. Thank you to those that sent donations to help pay for his medical treatment.
11/4/06 - Shiloh is responding well on his medication and he has someone who wants to adopt him and give him a forever home.
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Joey
Hi! I'm Joey - the Clay fund gave me a new hip.
Joey was just a year old and he was suffering from the effects of severe hip dysplasia. One of his hip sockets was so poorly formed, it caused him pain when laying down and getting up. He was given up to rescue because his family didn't want to pay for the necessary surgery and was unwilling to deal with the extended recovery period. Dr. Runnels in Lititz, Pa. gave him a new hip and he's as good as new. He's enjoying life in his new home with his new family. If you contributed to the Clay Fund for Joey, we all thank you for your generosity.
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Duncan
Duncan had 2 surgeries paid for by the Clay Fund.
Duncan was 2 years old when he came into rescue. Though his former owners wouldn't acknowledge it, it appears he as given up because they weren't willing to pay for his medical treatment. Not only was Duncan suffering from severe hip dysplasia, he also was suffering from problems in one of his anal sacks that was making his life miserable. A foster family stepped up and agreed to care for him during his extensive recuperation. He first had the anal sack resection and then the hip surgery. After he fully recovered, the foster family officially adopted him and he is now living the life of a pampered Golden. If you were one of the many that helped Duncan, we all thank you for your kindness and generosity.
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Hip dysplasia is a condition that afflicts many dogs, but seems to strike the large breeds more often. It results in poor hip sockets and many times a deforming of the ball on the dog's femur. For information on this condition, see our FAQ page.
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