As a new puppy, Leo, a caramel colored Puggle became a member of the Czar family when Bridget and Michael wed in 2004. Two years later, the Czars welcomed a new baby daughter, Alyssa to their family and in 2007 they purchased their first home together. The Czars experienced all the stressful moments young couples go through when buying their first home. On one occasion, the home inspection revealed the potential of mice in their attic for which the seller agreed to remedy by hiring an exterminator --- or at least that’s what they thought….

Bridget, Michael, Alyssa and Leo loved their new home and were anxious to settle in. Bridget, a young and energetic new mother, was rushing around the house while Alyssa napped and with “lovable” Leo in tow, putting things away in her new home. Bridget came across the Christmas decorations and found the perfect spot for them. There was a storage closet hidden away in baby Alyssa’s room. Opening the yet unexplored storage space, Bridget was busy arranging the boxes and sadly, Leo scurried in and found and ingested mouse poison. Leo must have known this was not good because he scurried over to Bridget, packaging in hand, to show her what he had done.

Bridget figured out pretty quickly what had happened. The previous owner had taken it upon himself the rid the house of the mice by placing the poison in the closet. With no time to ponder this, Bridget contacted poison control and was advised to immediately take Leo to her veterinarian. Leo had ingested 21 grams of poison and Bridget was advised that for Leo, even 7 grams was fatal. After seeking treatment from two veterinarians, the Czars were advised that Leo would not survive this unforeseen tragedy.

But Bridget did not lose hope. She remembered that as a newborn puppy Leo, had contracted pneumonia and was given a bleak prognosis, but in an effort to beat the odds, Bridget brought Leo to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital (RBVH) where Leo’s life was saved! This memory was clear in Bridget’s mind. “Get Leo to Red Bank,” she thought. Along with newborn Alyssa, this strong loving mother drove Leo over an hour to RBVH.

Drs. Gonzalez and Woosley fought the good fight with Leo and Bridget and treated Leo with numerous medications for over three weeks with no improvement to Leo’s condition. But Leo was hanging on and there was hope that he could improve. The doctors worked diligently and showed great compassion for this unforeseen event.

As the cost of Leo’s treatments and stay at RBVH reached $4,000, Dr. Gonzalez, understanding the financial obligations of having a new home and baby, applied to the Save U.S. Pets Foundation and received financial assistance on behalf of the Czars. Dr. Gonzalez advised the Czars that Leo was a victim of a terrible accident that was not their fault.

Ultimately, Dr. Woosley made a call she had hoped not too. She advised Bridget and Michael that they should come to see Leo and face the gut wrenching decision of whether or not to put Leo down. The young couple sobbed as Leo entered the room. Leo, not himself, but missing his family licked both Michael and Bridget. The Czar’s were heartbroken. They considered Leo to be their “first child.”

Dr. Woosley, seeing how devastated the Czars were, and with great compassion and hope, said, “Let’s give it one more night—one more night to see if the new medication works.” Bridget and Michael were in agreement.

The Czars went home sobbing with the memory of “lovable” Leo licking the both of them along with hope that tomorrow would be a better day. Leo had beat the odds once before with the help of the Doctors and staff of RBVH. Is it possible for a DOG to have more than one life?

YES! The next day, Dr. Woosley called the Czars. Leo turned the corner and started to show improvement! Almost two months after ingesting mouse poison, Leo is a survivor!

There is also potential that Leo will have kidney damage. To date, he shows no signs of kidney problems.

Bridget says, “Leo is the hero.” Now that baby Alyssa is toddling around the house, up and down and all around, Bridget feels that Leo saved Alyssa’s life. Who could predict if Alyssa would have been the one to find poison (that was not suppose to be there) in the closet so close to her reach.

Bridget and Michael are looking forward to many happy days ahead. They will take “lucky” Leo to his favorite places like the Manasquan dog beach and Island State Park. The Czars are grateful for the dedication and persistence of the Drs. In pursuing Leo’s health and expressed heartfelt thanks for the Drs. acting in their interests and securing financial assistance from Save U.S. Pets Foundation. They are also “incredibly thankful” for the Financial assistance provided by Save U.S. Pets Foundation.