06/15/2026
We started last week with devastating news.
Venus' foster sent me a text - Venus could not get up, at all. She had been active and running the yard, enjoying her new foster home. Ms. Connie was giving her one-on-one attention as an only dog with lots of TV watching, snoozing on the couch, leashed walks and sunbathing in the yard. Venus was embracing being away from pesky younger dogs and living the 'retired' life.
We had just cleared Venus at our primary care Vet and she was healing from mastitis, believed to be 'stable' and able to take life at her speed -with no infections, no heartworms, no pain, no sores - for several years. Her heart was compromised from heartworms, her body aged from overbreeding but her was mind was bright.
This is where genetics, specifically Doberman, are cruel. Venus after proper medical care in rescue was guessed to be middle aged, not actually a senior dog. She suffered sudden immobility due to stenosis from a disc compression in her neck. We provided medications, supportive care and monitored for 24 hours - carrying her to the grass and to a dog bed for comfort. She was in pain, held her head up and would eat but could not use her paws, or limbs. Venus cried when she could not see her foster and just wanted to be held. Her quality of life had diminished in just a moment, one breath when she collapsed.
Our Vet partners provided a heartbreaking assessment after new X-Rays; a herniated disc between her neck vertebrae, Wobblers impacting her spinal cord and further testing revealed DCM. She was in heart failure. She was not eligible for the complex surgery on her spine. Venus was humanly euthanized to end her suffering. It has taken several days to share this news.
Thank you to her foster who gave her peace in her final days and will be accepting her ashes becoming her forever home.🕊️
Intake Story: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18hbbxhJgz/
Venus came to us from BARC and had many supporters, pledges and followers. CCR shares all outcomes for transparency. 🤍
