Grover is good at pulling on heartstrings — the irony is, his are failing.
Scrambling into the kitchen area of Angel’s Rest Dog Rescue and Sanctuary in St. Davids, which is owned and operated by Christine Van Moorsel, the four-year-old Westie cross is as hyperactive and cute as anyone would expect from such a small lapdog.
His body quivers with excitement upon the arrival of a stranger, he’s eager to jump into the arms of VanMoorsel’s daughter, Jane LaVacca, and his eyes and head dart back and forth seeking a face to slobber.
But the truth of Grover’s fate is scary, and while Van Moorsel and LaVacca know it, the tiny creature they have taken in doesn’t have a clue of the state of his existence.
The mother and daughter would prefer, with everything in their hearts, to not let him find out.
“He’s got a problem with a valve in his heart and if it is not repaired right, then he will pass away,” said LaVacca, sitting in the kitchen area of her mother’s sanctuary, which normally operates as an end-of-life hospice to sick and terminal dogs.
“He is a lovely dog,” she said.
Few would disagree upon meeting him, including the folks at the Niagara Falls Humane Society — they regularly contact Van Moorsel seeking her home to use for end-of-life scenarios since its history has shown the sanctuary is a loving and compassionate place.
The thing is Grover, who was brought to the humane society in the early days of summer looking ill and in a dire situation, isn’t as bad off as they first thought.
Not long after arriving at the sanctuary, his attitude and energy level improved so much that Van Moorsel took him to a veterinarian for a second opinion.
“They (humane society) figured that this one, being a sick dog, would probably die,” she said.
“But then when we went to the vet and got all the information, we found out that if this dog has surgery … he will be fixed for life. So he could live until he’s, like, 15,” she added.
The surgery involves placing a balloon in the valve of Grover’s heart in order to widen the opening, explained Van Moorsel.
It is not a cheap fix and the sanctuary, not used to saving dogs’ lives but rather keeping them comfortable and loved in their final days, doesn’t have the funds to pay for the $9,000 operation.
“He’s sweet and deserves to live,” said LaVacca.
With that in mind, the pair are turning to the public for help saving Grover’s life.
The sanctuary, a registered charity, regularly depends on the generosity of the public to help keep the doors open and is hoping that people will dig a little deeper to help Grover live a full life.
Funds can be donated by e-transfer at angelsrestdogrescue@gmail.com. Donations over $50 will receive a tax receipt.
