No matter how hard we try, we cannot save them all. But we can give them the best life they ever imagined until the end comes — something we never have control over.

We have been treating our incredible pit bull, Rhett, for heart issues since we rescued him 8 years ago. He was up for adoption most of that time, but we never found the person who could give him the undivided attention he needed with his ongoing medical care. So we became his family — and Rhett was more than okay with that. He had more joy and love in his big, beefy body than you could ever imagine. He lived for chasing anything thrown through the air and cooling off in his little pool before going right back to play.

Over the last two years, his heart disease progressed. Medications changed, scans were repeated, and six months ago a mass — or possible clot — was found in his heart. Yesterday, when we went in for what we thought would be routine fluid draining, blood was found. A CT scan showed a massive tumor growing from his heart down into his liver and spleen, wrapped around everything. Surgery was not possible. We had to make the heartbreaking decision to let him go peacefully rather than risk him suffering.

Everything we did gave him more time — happy, loved time — even if it could not save him. Rhett passed knowing how deeply he was loved. He is now free, and we will think of him every time we see a ball or frisbee fly through the air.

Like many rescues, we now face significant medical bills from doing everything possible to help him. If you are able, please consider donating. We can’t bring Rhett back, but you can help us continue to fight for the animals still in our care and give them the love and life they deserve.