INGRID’S STORY OF SURVIVAL AND SPIRIT

6/15/07

Heartworm was slowly and painfully killing Ingrid. When Little Shelter rescued her, the sweet little dog was drowning in the 14 pounds of extra fluid she was carrying in her abdomen. Sadly, it was a situation that need not have happened. Heartworm is easily prevented by medication. Now the disease was very advanced, and the worms were breaking up and clogging Ingrid’s blood vessels. Dedicated veterinarians, first at Babylon Animal Hospital and then at Long Island Veterinary Specialists (LIVS), went to extraordinary lengths to save Ingrid’s life. And, miraculously, they did!

However, Ingrid’s incredible story does not end there. The loving dog’s heart will forever need medication to function effectively. Believe it or not, the medicine that will do the trick is Viagra.

“Many people forget that Viagra was initially used a heart medication,” states Dr. Susanne Govier of LIVS. “The drug actually dilates the veins and allows more blood flow to the heart. Ingrid will need Viagra for the rest of her life, and Little Shelter will provide it.”

But that is not the end of the story. As soon as word of Ingrid’s situation got out, television, radio, and television reporters descended on Little Shelter. Before long, Ingrid became a national celebrity. From north to south and from coast to coast, everyone was talking about the dog on Viagra. In fact, Ingrid became part of television’s national sweeps week and helped ABC-TV to rank first in the ratings.

“It’s wonderful that Ingrid received all this local and national attention,” says Little Shelter president Maryann Chernovsky. “Hopefully, her plight will remind dog guardians to use heart worm preventative and alert veterinarians to the other benefits of Viagra!”.



Ingrid needs Viagra to survive, so Little Shelter is providing her lifesaving Viagra for the rest of her life – even after she is placed into a loving forever home. As is the case with many medications, Viagra is expensive. But there is a unique way you can help Little Shelter save Ingrid’s life. Men, if you are taking Viagra, please consider donating just one pill to Ingrid. She takes one pill a day, so 180 pills will keep our little girl happy and healthy for six months. Women, you can help, too. One pill costs $10. Please consider making a $10 donation to the Magic and Merlin Fund in Ingrid’s name. Either way, you will be ensuring a loving and beautiful dog a longer, happier, and healthier life.