The beginning
Hecktor was born the day after my birthday on July 26th (Obviously not the same year). And although we do not share an exact birthday, we are kindred spirits. Hecktor is the sweetest, kindest soul in a tiny four legged body I think I'll ever know, and he has been this way since the day we met.
The moment I saw him I knew he would make me the best dog mom ever. Here he is on the day I brought him home to Mechanicville, NY. He's stealing my heart right away, floppy ears and all, which he eventually grows out of.
Hecktor has given so much LOVE that his heart has grown too big & he needs open heart surgery to fix it.
Through out the years Hecktor has attended many sports games and always cheered for the right team (Mechanicville, St. Lawerence, Syracuse etc). Especially if you're a fan of those teams, please consider supporting their biggest fan!
Here you see him sporting his "Wide retriever" jersey and cheering on our favorite college football player, Gabe McBride.
Hecktor loves going to sports games. As a puppy he drew so much attention from the crowd. And to this day, people still oooo and ahh over how sweet of a demeanor he has. (and he's always willing to accept pets)
The biggest fan
Sharing his home
Hecktor has given so many KISSES that his heart has grown too big & he needs open heart surgery to fix it.
When Hecktor was about 2 years old he told me he wanted to share our home with a less fortunate furry friend, so I started the search for a companion for Hecktor. (similar size, similar age, etc.) After months of looking at the ASPCA/Local Animal Shelter websites with no luck, I took a pause. Then one evening, I was watching TV with Hecktor snuggled on my lap, when the infamous Sarah McLaughlin commercial came on. This prompted me to look on the animal shelter websites again, and there she was, his (now adopted) sister Alice Tila.
Here they are pictured at their first meeting. Hecktor loves her already and is giving lots of kisses.
A lot of you know I work in the Graphic Design and Computer Programming industry. Upstate NY wasn't the easiest place to find a job in those areas so I made the difficult decision to leave our home town and venture out into the world. With Hecktor (and Alice) by my side, we landed first in Fairfield, Connecticut. Moving to a new place with no family or friends, Hecktor (and Alice) gave so many hugs and snuggles when I felt alone. Hecktor always lifts everyone's spirits. In Connecticut we enjoyed many walks among the dogwood trees, beautiful days in the yard playing fetch and lots of pouncing in freshly fallen snow.
Here Hecktor is sitting regally on his "Throne" (i.e. my favorite chair) in our first official appartment.
The mini world traveler
Sharing his home
Hecktor has given so much HELP in the form of snuggles that his heart has grown too big; He needs life-saving heart surgery to fix it.
After living in Connecticut an amazing opportunity came along in the form of a friend needing help and a housemate. So I took a new job in Texas and we moved there.
Here he is, stopping for a break on our road trip to our new home in Texas. He found a hydrant so I had to take the obligatory dog/hydrant picture.
Hecktor and Alice LOVE to play hide-and-go-seek together at the house! Alice worries if she doesn't know where her brother is. When he hides, she frantically searches every room until she finds him.
Here they are hiding together under their favorite blanket which was made with lots of Love by their Grand-doggie-ma.
Loving dog life with Alice
Adopting his fur-papa
Hecktor needs your help, his life-saving heart surgery cannot wait!
In 2019, Vic and I married and Hecktor officially got a Papa. They soon became two peas in a pod! Hecktor just Loves Vic and Vic really does Love Heckie too!
This a game they play, Hecktor sits calmly on my lap while his dad, Papa Vic tries to steal him away.
Holidays with Heckie are the absolute best. It's a special time where we all get to play, relax, walk, run, and snuggle up without the fast pace world moving around us.
I have so many wonderful memories of Hecktor during the holidays though he doesn't usually stay still long enough for me to capture them on film.
Here he is, tuckered out from a long day of holiday playtime!
Happy Hecktor Holidays!
Is this the end? July 2024
Hecktor needs your help, his life-saving heart surgery cannot wait!
On July 12, 2024 at 2:00 am, after almost 4 years of Hecktor battling mitral valve disease and remaining stable, I was awoken by the sounds of Hecktor laboring to breath. I could see he was struggling and the look of fear on his sweet little face. I was heartbroken because I knew this likely meant his disease had progressed. I brought him to the Cardiologist immediately where they hospitalized him, confirmed his heart had started to enlarge causing fluid to back up into his lungs and that his mitral valve disease had progressed into stage 3. Hecktor was in congestive heart failure. He still has congestive heart failure, but there is a cure since the underlying cause is mitral valve disease.
I struggled very much with the decision to ask for help, especially since it comes to money. I think I feel this way because I have always believed in working hard for things and earning it the good old fashioned way. I have had a lot of things in life that I am very grateful for and I know others are not as fortunate. It makes me feel guilty to ask for help, however, I know, there is no way I can scrounge up the cost of this surgery in that short of timeframe alone. As his mom, these extra 5-8 years are truly invaluable to me. So I asked myself, would I be able to forgive myself if I didn't do everything possible to help my sweet Hecktor. For me, that means setting aside any pride I have and asking for your help to give Hecktor a fair shot at a long quality life.
Please help Hecktor by donating. If you cannot, I would like you to know that the importance of sharing and reposting is invaluable in helping Hecktor as well. I am forever grateful for all of your help on every level. Thank you for being one of Hecktor's Heroes!