Never Say Never — Timber’s Battle Continues 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from saving abused dogs, it’s this: never say never and always expect the unexpected when it comes to their medical care.

I waited weeks before posting about Timber, wanting to make sure nothing unexpected came up after his heartworm protocol. He was on strict kennel rest — only allowed outside for quick bathroom breaks — and he handled everything like the gentle, loving soul he is. For a few nights he threw up once, but by morning he was back to his normal sweet self. The day before I shared his update, he hadn’t thrown up at all. Everything seemed fine.

Then, around 4:30 PM that same day, Timber went outside to pee, threw up again, and suddenly became very lethargic. His cardiologist was stumped. I feared he might have thrown a clot from the heartworm die-off. We rushed him to CVRC in Charleston, where his Critical Care Team immediately took him back.

An ultrasound and x-rays revealed fluid and gas in his abdominal cavity — signs of a possible intestinal perforation. A culture confirmed bacteria consistent with a small intestinal or colon tear. Once he was stable, Dr. Steve Garnett performed emergency surgery around midnight.

He found the tiniest ulcer in Timber’s intestine — but that tiny ulcer had made him critically ill. Drains were placed, a feeding tube inserted, and now Timber is fighting hard to recover. He’s on strong antibiotics and pain meds, and while his blood values are still off, he’s holding on.

The truth is heartbreaking — if we hadn’t brought him in when we did, Timber wouldn’t have survived. His body had created the perfect storm of complications.

All of his specialists are meeting this morning to discuss his care plan. Everyone who’s met Timber has fallen in love with him — he’s just that kind of dog. 

Sadly, we’ll never fully know what his emaciated, abused body endured before coming to us. The prednisone used during his heartworm treatment was necessary — without it, he would’ve been at much higher risk of a cardiac event. Dr. Jesty has been incredibly cautious every step of the way.

I swear, this boy is going to give me and our entire staff a heart attack. We stay on our toes 24/7 for our 42 dogs. If one acts off, even slightly, we go straight to the vet — no waiting, no hoping it passes. Our vet bills are enormous because our dogs are fragile and medically complex.

Many of these pups were never supposed to live more than a few months… but with your help, they’re now living out full, happy lives surrounded by love. 

Our food bill alone is around $8,000 a month. Heartworm, flea, and tick meds add another $5,000 — and that doesn’t include surgeries or emergency care. Every penny goes toward giving these dogs the life they deserve.

I hate constantly asking for donations, but the truth is — we can’t do this without you. Noah’s Arks Rescue takes no government funding. We rely entirely on private donors who believe, as we do, that every life matters.

Please, if you can, donate to help us continue saving dogs like Timber. No amount is too small. You are their lifeline.

Keep Timber in your prayers — he’s fighting so hard to stay with us.