Champ was just 6 weeks old when his family—Tony, Sandy, and their kids, Alex, Gabby, Victoria, and Patrick (now 24, 22, and 19, respectively) adopted him.
The now 7-year-old dog “loves the pool and his favorite toys are the three pool toys that he stuffs in his mouth and does not let go,” they share.
Recently, Champ required surgery.
“He had a bullae build up in his lung, which caused a puncture in part of the lung,” Sandy explains. “The lung couldn't expand because pressure was building on the outside and he had trouble breathing.”
The family brought him to Dr. Stickland at Animal Medical Center of Chandler.
When Dr. Stickland explained the options, they knew it wasn’t ever a choice—they wanted to try to save Champ at all costs.
“She and her staff put Champ in her private vehicle and while they transported him to the hospital, staff members were in the back of the vehicle helping him breathe.”
The surgery entailed removing part of his lung. Thankfully, it was a success.
“He is more than a family pet, he is family,” they say. “He is a kind, loving, and gentle dog who makes everyone around him happy.”
