Halley The Golden Retriever Was Literally Starving To Death

LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - Halley, a golden retriever, spent years unable to keep her food down and steadily lost weight.

When her owners finally turned the little dog in to the Associated Humane Societies' Newark shelter, Halley was 5 years old and weighed only 32 pounds. She was starving, shelter director John Bergmann wrote on his Facebook page.

Hailey was being fed, but could not keep anything down.

"She was scared, skittish and downright depressed," he wrote.

She was transferred to Popcorn Park several weeks after her arrival to determine why she can't hold food down.

Hailey is now living in the Vinnie Van Gogh Recovery Suite at Popcorn Park, once home to a severely injured pup who recovered. She has already been diagnosed with a Vitamin B12 deficiency and coccidia and is still undergoing medical tests.

"So far, all signs point to megaesophagus, a condition in which the esophagus is enlarged and there is decreased motility, which would prevent food and liquids from moving down to Halley's stomach," Bergmann said.

So the medical staff made a special chair for Halley to eat in, so her food goes down and stays down. It seems to be working. Hailey feels better and has gained 10 much-needed pounds since she arrived.

She's also been measured for a Bailey Chair and will need to use that indefinitely, Bergmann said.

"Halley is such a sweet and lovely little girl that didn't deserve all that she endured," he wrote. "We noticed that when she would vomit up her food or regurgitate water when she arrived, she would immediately cringe as if she knew she would be in trouble any minute. It's heartbreaking to think that poor Halley was getting in trouble for what was wrong with her, in addition to nearly starving to death."

Loud noises and fast movements still frighten the little dog, but she is quickly learning that she is safe and loved.

Popcorn Park needs your help to take of Halley. The shelter has spent thousands to treat her. The owner paid $40 to turn her in, he said.

"We rely heavily on our Res-Q Fund," he wrote. "To make a donation in honor of Halley, click here: https://www.ahscares.org/ContentPage/2736 , or text ResQ to 501501 to make a $10 donation.
Thank you, as always, for your support, and please check back for updates on Halley."

Photo and video: Courtesy of Associated Humane Societies Popcorn Park shelter.