Two surgeries, one very stubborn little dog.
Shadow is a brave, resilient young dog in our Foster to Forever program. He is estimated to have been born on 28 July 2025, and came into our care as a stray on 1 October 2025 alongside his siblings Bridger, Rocky, Jackie and Ty, after being rescued from the Wind River Reservation.
On 16 November 2025 he was placed with the Gilbert family as a foster-to-adopt puppy, who lovingly named him Motzy. During the foster-to-adopt process, LAWS covers the cost of both general and emergency medical care. What was supposed to be a fresh start took a complicated turn almost immediately.
All sponsorship and medical donations support the care of animals in our program and may be used where most needed.
Shadow’s second major surgery and the critical care that followed have resulted in bills totaling $13,000.
A generous donor has stepped up to commit $5,000 toward this chapter of his care, which helps tremendously and leaves $8,000 to raise. This comes at a time when we have other animals with medical needs, on top of the 80 or more animals depending on us every single day.
We will keep updating his recovery and the status of his medical bill as final invoices and payments come in.
His surgeons pulled off a repair they were not sure was even possible for a shunt that hard to reach. Shadow is stabilized and back with his foster-to-forever family, and they tell us he is much happier at home and starting to act like himself again. The latest report is the kind we love: full bowls of his special liver diet, no stomach trouble, and eyes looking a little brighter.
Without that surgery, most dogs with a liver shunt live between two months and two years. With it, he gets the long, happy life he deserves.
One more thing, and it is our favorite part. His family has given him a new name. Shadow is Motzy now. You do not rename a dog you are not keeping.
Shadow’s survival is entirely a testament to the skill and compassion of his medical teams: Dr. Walker and her team at Gem City Vet for the early catch and ongoing local care, and the General Surgery, Critical Care and Anesthesia teams at the Colorado State University James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital for his complex surgeries and for fighting tooth and nail to save his life.
Shadow has fought harder than a pup ever should. Please consider making a donation, sharing his story, or just sending him your love.
