PLEASE SEE UPDATED INFO: ARK Charities has been keeping a little secret that we are finally pleased to share. We would like to introduce you to Miss Viviana, a pure bred ,wonderful puppy whom we are pleased to introduce to you. She is celebrating her 5 months birthday, a day we were not sure she would see. Viviana and her sister Valentina came to ARK at 8 weeks old, when their breeder reached out after discovering that the girls had a suspected PDA at their 8 week check up. Unfortunately, due to the breeder’s own serious health issues, she knew she was unable to help them as needed, so when she reached out for help, of course, we stepped up. We were unsure of what was truly required but we could not let them be euthanized without a chance to save their precious little lives. (Check out their baby pictures). The day we got them in June we took Viviana and Valentina to Guardian Veterinary Specialists to see Dr. Jonathan Goodwin, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology). Dr. Goodwin specializes in comprehensive evaluations and treatment for both congenital and acquired heart diseases and issues. We are very blessed he is on Viviana's team and her prognosis is excellent for her to live a long, healthy and normal life with surgery. Without this life-saving surgery, many patients will not survive more than a couple of years at most. The first thing we did was immediately get them both an Echocardiogram and unfortunately the while the news was not good for Viviana, it was devastating for sister Valentina. We recognized the dire situation Valentina was in as we held her, waiting for her ECO and while it was being done. It was impossible to believe that Valantina, the beautiful puppy in our arms, was struggling to pump the blood through her body with her extensive cardiac problems, revealed by her exam. Her diagnosis included multiple pulmonary stenosis, a much larger PDA than Viviana, and a 15mil-meter hole between a lower and upper chamber of her heart. Valentina peacefully passed away less than 48 hours later. It was devastating that her little heart could not be repaired. Fortunately, Viviana's diagnosis is much less severe and can be perfectly and operatively corrected. Her diagnosis: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and a moderate mitral valvular dysplasia. She has already had her second echocardiogram to confirm the status and alterations in her heart as she has grown, and as a result we are planning for her surgical repair on November 6, 2025. Her full written diagnosis from Dr. Goodwin is in the comments. We need to raise funding for Viviana's surgery so she can live a healthy and full life. We learned today that the surgery is estimated to be around $9,000 and we have already born the expense of two ECOs ($990 each - plus Valentina's). We are gutted and desperately trying to figure out how to pay for her surgery. We are waiting for the written estimate and will share for transparency. While we know some may suggest what other uses for this amount money, how do we turn our back on her when today she has defied the odds and is strong and full of life -so strong that not only will she survive the surgery but thrive with it? How do we find her a wonderful loving family if we don’t do a thing and tell a family they will lose this amazing sweet, smart, loving, incredible girl within a couple years? So here we are. It’s an unusual ask and we’ve struggled in asking for a donor or angel for Viviana. She is doing so well and is a strong puppy right now. She is the perfect candidate for an incredible , healthy outcome with this heart repair-in fact, she will be tetirned to 100%! . On behalf of Viviana, we are asking if you can please possibly spare a little bit to help cover the cost of her surgery and help give her the life she so justly deserves. If each of our followers donates a little bit, we can share the burden of surgical costs and share the joy of giving Viviana a new lease on life for many years, instead of just two years of life she will have without this life-saving surgery. Please, consider a tax deductible donation of any amount to help and if you can't please share to help spread the word. Sometimes rescue takes a village. God bless and thank you. Donations can be made on the donate link attached or by going directly to: VENMO: @ARK-Charities PayPal and ZELLE: donate@ark-charities.org By Check: ARK Charities P.O. Box 138 Brookfield, CT 06804 Memo: Viviana heart surgeryv (fb)

Come visit with us today and meet some of our adorable and lovable German Shepherds at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park in Greenwich, CT! (fb)