I decided to wait several days before posting an update on Timber. I have good news — lots of it — but experience has taught me that with Timber, things can change quickly. I didn’t want to celebrate too soon, only to come back and say he was declining again.
But today, I finally get to share what we’ve all been hoping for.
Timber is OUT of the hospital and back with us at Noah’s Arks Rescue.
The moment he walked through our doors — into our home-style environment, familiar and comforting — he lit up. He ran from room to room greeting everyone with that big Timber smile, as if to say "I made it." It’s now been four days, and he has had no setbacks. He’s eating like a champ, bright-eyed, happy — and best of all, no abdominal swelling.
If you saw Timber today, you would never believe what he’s been through. I, on the other hand, look like I’ve gone to war to save him. These past four weeks have been hard — filled with a million ups and downs and a trillion prayers — but every moment was worth it.
I’m still cautious, but hopeful the worst is behind us.
Dr. Jesty, his Cardiologist, still needs to determine a safe path forward for his Heartworm treatment, as that was what pushed him into crisis. We’re also working to understand the cause of his liver damage. His biopsy was inconclusive, but for now his liver values are stable — and that alone is a gift.
For the moment, no further Heartworm treatment is being considered. He’s had one round of melarsomine, and that will have to be enough until his body is stronger. We’ll repeat his SNAP test in a couple of weeks to see where things stand.
His abdominal incision — the one that challenged us for so long — is now almost completely healed. No drainage, no redness. Hard to believe that drain, as frightening as it was, turned out to be the very thing that saved him.
To our donors, doctors, techs, and everyone who held Timber in their hearts — thank you. You helped pull him through what so many thought he wouldn’t survive. When he first arrived, I named him Timber because he looked like a Timber Wolf. Today, he stands proudly as what he truly is: a magnificent white German Shepherd with a heart of absolute gold.
When Timber left the hospital, the amazing team at CVRC gave him a send-off video that will melt your heart. You will see the love, the joy, and the celebration that filled the room as he walked out — strong, smiling, and alive. This is the family our dogs have when they are not with us but are in the care of CVRC. They loved him like he was their own, and for that, we are forever grateful.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DgFpA198h/
I will continue to update everyone, though not as frequently unless something changes. I need to devote time to the new emergency cases coming in, and to the others who are still critical and fighting for their lives. As always, you can reach out by email if you’re worried about Timber — and I’ll respond.
Wishing each of you a Thanksgiving filled with love, warmth, and gratitude. 🧡
Timber is here today because we believed in him — together.
