Nine and a half year old Thunder is a handsome English Setter who lived his entire life outside. He was used as a stud dog and was provided no medical care at all. The only time Thunder was allowed inside was if the weather was literally freezing cold, at which point he would be carried into the house and placed inside a crate until the morning. Can you imagine? His paws had never touched an indoor surface until he was surrendered into rescue in late June 2024.   

Unfortunately, long years of medical neglect had taken their toll on him. Thunder came into rescue critically ill with a bronchial infection, and he tested high heartworm positive. He also had a leg mass, which was fortunately diagnosed as benign. 

Thunder’s medical treatment started immediately, and immediately he had difficulty due to a bad reaction to one of the medications he was given before his heartworm treatment even began, earning his first stay at the veterinary ICU. He’s still having a rough time of it. Some of our readers may remember Thunder from SWESR’s 2024 Big Give fundraiser, where we were thrilled to learn he was feeling good enough to assume the international “I want to play” dog posture of head down, hips up, and tail wagging. Since then, he’s had another very close call after his second heartworm treatment shot. Thunder was coughing constantly and unable to get his breath. He was admitted to the veterinary ICU for the second time, and the medical personnel were honest in their assessment that he might not live through the night. His foster mom called the vet before sunrise the next morning to learn that he had survived. Hugely relieved and grateful, this experience was nonetheless extremely traumatic for Thunder and his foster family. 

He is devoted to his foster family (most probably foster-to-adopt family, but first things first, with Thunder’s complete recovery top of that list). He is exceptionally affectionate and wants to spend every minute close to his humans, preferably on their laps or on their feet. He loves to cuddle. He wants to be loved, and he trusts his humans completely.   

It’s difficult for Thunder to be restricted in his activity, as he would love to play with his Setter siblings. Due to the strict rules around heartworm recovery, Thunder was initially kept in a crate, but he made it clear he desperately wanted out, so he is now allowed free range one room at a time, with a human present 100% of the time to keep him safe. Heartworm recovery is no joke. His foster mother’s exact words to describe this process are “it is brutal”.  

Thunder absolutely must not get excited or exert himself.   

He may not jump onto furniture as that action may strain his heart and kill him, so he is lifted onto the sofa to be next to his people.   

He may not climb stairs as that exertion might kill him, so he is carried up them. Did I mention Thunder now weighs 69 pounds?  

He may not go for car rides as his heart may suddenly stop if he saw something exciting.  

He may not go for walks, because if he saw something exciting, and let’s be real, there’s a lot in nature to excite an English Setter, he could die.  

He may not toss his toys into the air and chase after them as this simple, sudden movement could—you guessed it—kill him. 

For everyone involved in Thunder’s journey there is hope and always joy in his moments of happiness, but there is also an underlying sense of anger as his suffering didn’t have to happen.  Because make no mistake, despite the innate goodness of an English Setter heart, his happiness at being a part of a family and finally loved for himself, Thunder has suffered. Denied a heartworm prevention chewable treat once a month, he has undergone invasive tests, terrifying veterinary stays, and enforced activity restriction for five months now. And his treatment isn’t over yet. He is not strong enough to survive anesthesia, so dental care and neutering are on hold until he is more stable and his heart health has been reassessed.  

Thunder’s story exemplifies the horrors of not providing heartworm preventative care. It also demonstrates the will a dog has to live. It shows the fierce commitment Thunder’s amazing foster family has given him.  

Thunder is now a spoiled and much-loved house dog. Thunder, his family, everyone at SWESR, and his veterinary team are hoping the worst is behind him, because the humans in Thunder’s corner want him to be able to stop fighting for his life, a fight that has been ongoing for five long months and counting.  

Here at Storytellers we love to show you happy and goofy photos of English Setters, safe after rescue and in their forever homes. Gentle reader, take a good look at Thunder’s photo. Look into his eyes. We’d love to see unrestrained happiness and a carefree spirit, but we don’t … yet. 

Thunder’s family is convinced that one day they will.  And when that day comes, SWESR will be sure to share his new picture with you all.