Shortly before Christmas, one of our volunteers received a call from the father of one of a couple who had a French bulldog in bad shape. He was terribly concerned about the dog's health, and he was hoping we could help.

When we said we could and would help his granddog, he was so happy that he shed a tear or two. Gabriel was dropped off to us terribly dehydrated and emaciated, because he's had increasing trouble keeping food down for the last couple of years. His breathing was harsh.

Citing financial concerns, his family opted not to have the surgery for what a vet diagnosed as a cyst on his spinal column, so he has problems walking.

Frightened by his troubled breathing and emaciation, one of our volunteers immediately took him to a specialty and ER veterinary clinic and spent four hours on a Sunday evening holding him between tests the vets ran. They kept Gabe overnight so he could see the specialists as soon as possible in the morning. We weren't sure he'd live.

The next day, our volunteer had a day off and she returned to keep Gabe company at the vet's for a few hours. Various tests showed he had no intestinal blockage, but food wasn't moving through. He has severe reflux. A cocktail of drugs to stimulate his intestines, to prevent vomiting, and to address the infection in his lungs, probably caused by aspirating some vomit, were administered, as well as subcutaneous fluids. The vets discussed doing an endoscopy to explore the throat and stomach. We worried that in his condition he couldn't survive any invasive procedures. After years of vomiting, his throat and palate are swollen and he makes lots of scary noises as he breathes.

By Tuesday morning, Gabriel was keeping food down and had plumped up like a little rum-soaked raisin! The hydration alone made a big difference in his appearance--eyes no longer sunken but sparkling, skin less wrinkly--and he was making a total love muffin of himself! We know that frenchies are charming, adorable, easy-to-love little dogs, but even in a breed known for charm and heart capturing ability, it's clear that this dog is something else!

Gabe needs your good thoughts, prayers and karma. He has sores on his feet, as a result of the foot dragging that the cyst on his spine causes. He may yet need palate surgery, and he is still very underweight and weak. Once he's full of vitamins and nutrients and he's put some meat on his bones, we'll look to the next step for Gabriel. Right now, though, he's just concentrating on getting stronger, eating good, fresh, home-made food and taking his medicine, and sleeping long sleeps with his foster siblings, who look after him carefully. Under their watchful eye Gabe has put on four pounds!

To show Gabriel some love, just click on his picture and become his sponsor.