10/22/2026
Some updates are just really hard to share. 💔
We want to share an update on Ian Morgan, now River, and the little family who fell in love with him.
Ian came into rescue alongside another dog, Dexter Morgan, after the two were abandoned at a rental property. They had been outside for an extended period of time, and the landlord stepped in to care for them while we worked quickly to find a foster home for both boys (right before a bone chilling cold front was set to arrive).
Dexter found his forever home pretty quickly after completing his vetting. Ian’s journey took a little longer.
We suspect Ian is an Aussie/Border Collie mix (we never did a DNA test to confirm), and he has always had the brains and energy to match! He moved through a few foster homes and had a couple of home trials as we searched for the right fit. We just needed to find his people, the ones who would love all that energy and all the personality that comes with it.
And then, FINALLY, in early October, he found them. ❤️
You guys, it was love. The kind where everyone just knows. You can tell from these photos, Ian bonded with his new family almost immediately, and it felt like he had finally landed exactly where he was supposed to be.
And then came the news no one was prepared for.
After taking River to their vet for a wellness check, his family learned that he has carcinomatosis, with large masses affecting his spleen, liver, and much of his intestines. His red blood cell count has dropped significantly over the last two weeks, indicating active bleeding. His family has made the decision to focus on keeping him comfortable and giving him the best days possible.
He’s still very active. He still loves his walks and playtime. But he’s struggling to eat enough, and his family is managing nine different medications and supplements to care for him.
In their words:
"We are heartbroken that our time will be short as we have bonded so quickly. He is the sweetest, best gentle boy. We are here for him through his days whatever that may be.
We love him so much."
We don't really have the words for this one.
We are so heartbroken for River and for his family, who found their boy just weeks ago and are now facing the possibility of saying goodbye far sooner than anyone could have imagined. We’re heartbroken for every foster family who loved Ian along the way, too. Every person who opened their home to him, helped him through another transition, and hoped for the day he would find his forever.
This is the part of rescue that never gets easier. We celebrate the happy endings, but sometimes, even when everything finally falls into place, life is incredibly unfair.
River is home. He is loved. He has a family who will show up for him through whatever comes next, and he doesn't have to face any of it alone. We wish with everything we have that he had more time.
Please send all the love, prayers, and good thoughts you can to River and his family as they soak up every moment with their boy. And please keep his foster families in your hearts, too. They were part of his story, and we know how deeply they loved him.
Hug your dogs a little closer tonight. ❤️🐾
