Lukehaven Icelandic Sheepdogs

05/06/2026

I just wanted to give a quick update on Rollo as we finally got the results of the bone marrow test on Monday, and GOOD NEWS! He has an autoimmune syndrome, and no cancer was seen. The vet doesn't know why, and we can only guess at this point. He finished his course of antibiotics, and yesterday the blood work came back (it was drawn on Monday), and his WBCs are up to 4000! Not quite where it should be, but he'll be monitored weekly for the time being, and it was zero when this all started. The steroids are working well; he's gotten his appetite back and is much happier. And he especially enjoyed the snow yesterday. THANK YOU to everyone for your support, your donations, and your love!

05/01/2026

Rollo Is HOME

I’m so happy to write these words four days after this all began. Rollo came home with Scott last night.

Look at this beautiful boy resting in his own bed at home. Three days ago, he was in critical care with a 105° fever and no white blood cells, hooked up to IVs and feeding tubes, and undergoing so many tests.

Here's where things stand:
• Discharged from AESC's ICU — the team felt he was stable enough to continue his recovery at home
• Feeding tube and IVs are out — he's eating small amounts on his own and getting his continued meds orally (antibiotics, steroids, anti-diarrheal)
• Resting comfortably, peeing a lot (a normal side effect of the steroids — they're working)
• Bone marrow results are still pending, but his vet told Scott something important: the treatment plan would remain the same regardless of the results. This tells us that even if the marrow comes back showing something on the cancer side of the differential, the immediate path forward is the same — immunosuppression and supportive care —strongly suggesting the team is treating this as immune-mediated until proven otherwise.
• Next checkpoint: bloodwork at AESC on Monday to see how his white cell count is recovering

Coming home is a milestone, but Rollo will need ongoing specialty care at AESC at least weekly for the foreseeable future — including bloodwork, careful monitoring, follow-up consultations with the board-certified critical care team, and a gradual steroid taper under their close supervision. Immune-mediated marrow disease (note: we don't know yet if this is what he has — we're still waiting on the bone marrow results) requires weeks to months of careful management to get a dog into stable remission and keep him there. Every weekly recheck includes specialist fees, lab work, and likely medication adjustments — on top of the substantial bills from the ICU stay and the prescriptions Rollo will be on for some time.

So I'm asking you to keep showing up. If you've already given — thank you, and please share this update so Rollo's story continues to reach new people. If you can't give but can share, comment, or simply hold Rollo and Scott in your thoughts — please do. The love this community has poured out has carried Scott and Rollo through the hardest week of their lives, and Scott will need it throughout the recovery, too.

I am in awe of you. Almost a week ago, I didn't know how this story would end. Tonight, Rollo is home, Scott can breathe, and I'm sitting here writing this with a heart so full it's hard to find the right words. Life can change in an instant — and so, it turns out, can hope. Thank you for being the people you are. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for loving a dog and a person most of you have never met.

Until the next update — hold your own beautiful dogs a little closer tonight.
— Paula Lukehaven Icelandic Sheepdogs

04/30/2026

Rollo Update — Some Really Good News Today
Rollo had a good day and is showing improvement since starting steroids last night.

*His temperature is normal (101.4°F — down from 105°F)
*He ate a little solid food
*He wagged his tail when Scott walked in — the first tail wag since this all began.
*His doctor says he is responding well to the steroids.

If you've been following along, you know we've been waiting to see whether this is something his immune system is doing to him (treatable) or something more frightening. We don't have the bone marrow results back yet, but a strong response to steroids within 24 hours is very encouraging. He is not out of the woods, but this is the best news we've had since this started.

None of this would be possible without you. Every donation, every share, every comment, every word of encouragement — it has held Scott up this week and made it possible for Scott to give Rollo the best chance. The bills are real, and they are climbing.

I'll update again as soon as we have more results. Until then — give that sweet dog of yours extra love on Rollo's behalf - nothing is guaranteed, and we all need to cherish every moment we have with our dogs.
— Paula
Lukehaven Icelandic Sheepdogs

04/29/2026

Hi everyone! This is Scott, Rollo's owner. I don't have a FB account anymore, so this is being posted on my behalf. I can't express enough how much it means to me to see the support and love given to Rollo through this fundraising effort. Years ago, when I called breeders to inquire about purchasing an Icelandic Sheepdog puppy, I immediately felt the close bond within the Icie community. If a breeder didn't have a litter, they were sure to give me names and numbers of other breeders. That's how I found Paula.
If you own an Icie, you know the amazingly strong bond formed between owner and dog. None of us has ever gone to the bathroom without a captive audience. 😁 It's crazy how my daily routine revolves around Rollo. He's the sole reason why I rush home every day. I'm met with a ton of love and energy, no matter if I'm gone all day or just ran to the store for a few minutes. Rollo was a happy, active dog on Thursday, but was under 24-hour care a couple of days later. I can't believe all of this is actually happening. This whole ordeal is my worst nightmare come true. I've already shed a lifetime of tears, but everyone's donations, thoughts, and prayers have given me hope that Rollo can beat this illness. Rollo and I thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. God Bless you all!

04/29/2026

Good evening, everyone - thank you from my whole heart.
I am genuinely overwhelmed by this community. The donations, the shares, the messages, the support, the way you have all shown up for Rollo and Scott in just hours — it has brought me to tears more than once today. Scott has seen every name. So have I. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Where Rollo stands tonight:
Rollo is stable in critical care, although still has an elevated temp and low/zero WBCs — and given how sick he was on arrival, "stable" is something we are holding onto. The team at AESC has been extraordinary today. Here's what's happened so far:

CT scan: negative — no tumors, abscesses, or obvious source of infection
Tick-borne illness panel: negative
Bone marrow aspiration: complete — we're waiting on results, hopefully tomorrow, but it could be longer
Additional bloodwork: drawn and being monitored closely
White blood cell count: still zero — this is what we most need to change
Treatment so far: IV antibiotics, supportive care, and around-the-clock monitoring by board-certified criticalists
New tonight: Rollo will be starting steroids in an effort to push his immune system to respond

So — we don't have an answer yet about what is attacking him. But we have ruled out several scary things, and that matters. The bone marrow results tomorrow should give us much more clarity, and the steroids starting tonight give us a new tool in the fight.
He is hanging in there. He is being watched every minute. And because of all of you, Scott has been able to say yes to every test without hesitating. That is exactly what this fundraiser was for, and you are making it possible.
If you've already given, thank you from the depths of my heart. If you haven't been able to give but can share — please keep sharing. We are hoping for the best.
I'll post again as soon as we have bone marrow results or any additional news.
Hold him in your hearts tonight. Here's a picture of him at AESC last night when he arrived:
— Paula
Lukehaven Icelandic Sheepdogs

04/28/2026

💔 I'm asking the Icelandic Sheepdog community to rally for one of our own.

This is Rollo — 4 years old, son of my Freyja and Cari's Stormy, from my very first Lukehaven litter. He's in the ICU at Animal Emergency & Specialty Center in Parker, Colorado, fighting for his life. The board-certified criticalists suspect something is attacking his bone marrow — he has essentially no white blood cells, spiked a 105°F fever, and his owner, Scott, authorized CPR if needed overnight. An ultrasound and likely bone marrow aspiration are happening today.

Rollo is in the best possible hands, but ICU care at this level is extraordinarily expensive, and his insurance cap will be exceeded quickly. Scott is doing everything right and has not hesitated for a second — I cannot stand the thought of him weighing his dog's life against the bills.

I've started a GoFundMe with Scott's blessing. Please give what you can, and please share — with your ISD friends, breed clubs, training partners, your vet, your dog people. This breed community is small, fierce, and extraordinary. We show up for each other. Scott and Rollo need us now.

04/02/2026

Donate for this Icie for his surgery - almost at goal:

Kappi, a 5-year-old Icelandic Sheepdog, recently underwent knee surgery to help with … Lauren Seals needs your support for Help Kappi Get the Surgery He Needs

03/31/2026

To all Icie owners and lovers of the breed - please consider donating to Kappi’s surgery: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-kappi-get-the-surgery-he-needs?attribution_id=sl:6c351d25-19dd-44ea-ad6d-5038db98d927&utm_campaign=pd_ss_icons&utm_content=amp17_tc-amp20_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&fbclid=IwdGRjcAQ4EWxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeJetFwCN8DDbxMIU39WcGF9ZA6dHo36JOcAeBrNO-ccbpIDFfZI4tgtTr71c_aem_tQqZ7XYapJwgn2GJa_mCIQ

Kappi, a 5-year-old Icelandic Sheepdog, recently underwent knee surgery to help with … Lauren Seals needs your support for Help Kappi Get the Surgery He Needs

03/23/2026

An Icie won the 16 class at the AKC National Agility championships! Congratulations Team Luke! https://www.facebook.com/reel/1031259553410314/

11/30/2025

Icie fest in my kitchen for Thanksgiving 😂😂😂😂😂

11/17/2025

Happy Birthday to the Freyja x Torfi puppies born on November 17, 2022! It’s hard to believe these wonderful pups are already three years old. What a truly gorgeous group they’ve grown into. I’m so proud of each of them, and so grateful for the amazing humans who love them—you are all cherished members of the Lukehaven family.

Wishing these beautiful dogs fun-filled birthday celebrations across Oregon, Connecticut, New York, and Florida! 🎉🐾❤️