2/18 UPDATE: IT IS WITH VERY SAD HEARTS THAT WE REPORT THE PASSING OF FINNEGAN. HIS BREATHING BECAME VERY LABORED AND ALTHOUGH WE KNEW HE HAD HEARTWORM DISEASE, XRAYS SHOWED A MASS IN HIS LUNGS. HE WAS SUFFERING AND THE ONLY WAY TO HELP HIM WAS HOLD HIS PAW AND HELP HIM CROSS THE RAINBOW BRIDGE.WE WERE ABLE TO BRING HIM JOY IN HIS LAST WEEKS AND WE THANK EVERYONE WHO CARED FOR HIM. HE WAS A SPECIAL SOUL. BACKGROUND: I had really forgotten what “lucky” meant when, after a long time of being lost and hungry and with no one to care for me, a nice lady helped me get to AGA. She used to help golden retrievers at another place so she knew exactly what I needed. She took me to a dog doctor to get me a shot. They checked for a chip and gave me a bath – no chip but I had a bunch of fleas! Once I got to AGA I saw another dog doctor and found out I have heartworms. I’m around 10 years old and way too skinny (they said I weigh 53 pounds and I should be number 75) and I have those backward eyelashes that have to be fixed. My eyes hurt ’cause they are getting scratched all the time. That will cost $1500 dollars and I think that is a lot. So I have a ways to go to get all better and I need a big, big favor from any one who loves goldens. I need another $500 for the medicine to get rid of the heartworms. I’ve heard that lots of AGA dogs have been helped for the same reason and I hope I can be that lucky too. AGA has started the Finn Fund for just me! It’s been so long since I have felt good that just the care I have had so far is making me feel like a new dog! My doctor says I am the sweetest fellow EVER and I am going to do my best to be good and do everything she says I need to do to get better. AGA tells me that one day I will have a new home and family and that I won’t have to worry anymore about being alone, or cold or sick. I’ll let you know more about me and how I am doing when folks get to know me better. Please wish me good luck for all the days to come. Your grateful friend, Finnegan