06/11/2025
Cowboy’s Chance: The Backstory
All of my fur children were deemed unwanted and unworthy of love. Riley was bred to death, skinny, & had mammary tumors all over her. Ranger was skinny & suffering from the typical “black dog syndrome.” Not one person expressed any interest in adopting either of them. They were set to be euthanized at the shelter until I stepped in and agreed to take them in. Now Cowboy on the other hand his story is a bit different, he was the one who would absolutely break your heart. Cowboy’s story began when police intervened. He was only brought to the vet because they were called to his previous owners home for unrelated reasons, and upon seeing this poor 17 year old dog on the couch, the police threatened them with animal cruelty charges. This poor dog had next to no hair, bright red skin, reeked of urine and yeast, and had very obviously given up hope. Story has it he had been that way for 14 years. A friend of mine who ran an animal rescue, worked at said vet clinic that he was brought to. She convinced the owner to relinquish him to her so she could give him the proper care he so desperately needed. Cue the Facebook post asking for a foster, and here I chime in. I had Riley and Ranger at the time, they both were doing well. And I jumped at the opportunity to help this poor grandpa dog. Just like with the two of them, I felt Cowboy was speaking to me through that Facebook post. Myself thinking it’s a really bad skin infection, some antibiotics will clear it up in no time, was soooooo very wrong. We went through one round of tests with the original vet he was brought to, and they couldn’t give me a straight answer as to what was going on. I paid $1000 for no answers. I then switched to my regular vet, who explained to me Cowboys case is a lot more complex than your typical case. It took us a solid year to diagnosis and treat my poor old man. He was suffering from a long term skin infection, coupled with a yeast infection on his skin, coupled with one other type of rare bacterial infection that I can’t even remember what it was called. About halfway through this mystery case with Cowboy, Ranger tests positive for heartworms and Riley started to go downhill. We very quickly became frequent fliers at my vet’s office. I was there at least every single week with one of my children. On top of Cowboy's very experience medical tests and treatments, I now had two other dogs who needed my help. There was never a doubt in my mind I was going to see it through with all three of them. I would never give up on them, like all of their other previous owners had. They deserved that fighting chance to live out their golden years happy and loved no matter the cost. Cowboy was 17 when I took him in, he lived another two years a happy, spoiled rotten, loved, old man. Riley was at least 10 when I took her in, she lived another 4 years happy, spoiled rotten, and loved. Ranger was 9 when I took him in, and he’s still hanging around here with his ol mama. Happy, spoiled, and loved. So at one point I made the mistake of totaling my vet bills for all three of them for one year, I stopped at a whopping $10,000. I’ve heard all too many times at the vet’s office during our visits other clients say “I can’t afford to do that” or “it’s too expensive.” These were pet owners who were visibly upset and to tears that they couldn’t afford even the basics for their baby. And God forbid it was a life or death decision, it usually ended up being “just put them down.” I quickly realized not everyone can afford to do what I’m doing. I was blessed with a good paying job at the time, and a boss who was more than understanding when I said hey I might be a little late tomorrow because I’ve got to run to the vets office. I felt for all of these people, and my heart truly went out to them. But I wanted to take it one step further, what can I do to help these other people? I obviously can’t take in their dogs but maybe I can help alleviate the financial burden. Cowboy’s Chance was the answer. In my heart I feel all animals deserve that same fighting chance I gave Cowboy, Riley, and Ranger. Cowboy's Chance is the resource we so desperately need in today’s world. And I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. By establishing this nonprofit, I’ve opened the door to other people who also feel led to help these animals. To give them that chance. Via a donation link on the Riley’s Retreat website, any tax deductible contribution will go straight to our local veterinary clinics to assist those who need help with caring for their beloved pet. From routine care, to life or death and palliative care. Just like Riley’s Retreat is Riley’s legacy, this is my sweet old man’s legacy🫶🏻
