Jill

About the Campaign

Puppy needs heart procedure:

Rescued from the Big Bear animal shelter in May, Jill is a one-year-old Boston Terrier. At the time, she seemed perfectly healthy—just a happy, energetic pup eager for a second chance. But weeks later, a routine vet visit revealed something serious: Jill has a life-threatening heart condition called pulmonic valve stenosis, a birth defect that’s already enlarged her heart.

Now, she needs a specialized heart procedure, balloon valvuloplasty, to prevent heart failure. The surgery is scheduled for August 6th at ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospital in Pasadena.

Jill was found stray in Big Bear running around with another dog, Gannon. Shelby saw them at the shelter and she adopted Jill and Shelby’s sister adopted Gannon!

Jill and Gannon:

There were no medical notes at the shelter, and Shelby thought Jill was perfectly healthy. It was only later when she took Jill in for a check up on her stitches from spay surgery that the vet did a routine check of the heart, and discover a very loud heart murmur. The doctor said it could be something even more than a murmur and recommended an echocardiogram, which had to be done at a speciality hospital.

Shelby got that done for Jill just recently, at a cost of over $1000. And the cardiologist diagnosed Jill with pulmonic valve stenosis, a bad heart valve (basically), which can be opened up. In fact, the procedure is basically the same as what is done in humans with the same heart condition.

Shelby manages the local Jersey Mike’s in Big Bear and lives in a small studio apartment with Jill and her two other dogs, ages three and nine. Jill—affectionately nicknamed “Silly Jilly”—has already bonded with her sisters. They love tug of war and playing fetch together, but now Jill’s activity has to be strictly limited. She’s on daily heart medication, and her playful spirit is being held back by something she doesn’t understand.

Jill’s prognosis is good—if she gets this surgery in time. Your support can help save her life and give her the chance to run, play, and grow up alongside the family who loves her. All donations go directly to Jill’s veterinary care and are paid only to the clinic. Shelby does have a GoFundMe also helping raise money HERE. Below is the vet estimate (click to enlarge):