Bitsy passed away March 3, 2019

In August of 2013, a little dog was almost hit by a car. My son was able to wrap her in a blanket and we brought her home. No collar, tags, and was covered in sores and fleas. We brought her to the local shelter unaware that it was a "kill shelter". After 10 days, a flea bath, and no one claiming her, they were going to euthanize her. I adopted her and named her Bitsy.
Bitsy was missing most of her coat from the fleas, had advanced heartworm, pancreatitis, infected liver, intestinal worms, and about 8 teeth rotted and broken at the gum line.
I raised the necessary funds for all of her treatments and dental work. She survived. Bitsy was approximately 9 or 10 years old then.
For 5 1/2 years she has been a sweet, loving member of my household. She always cuddled my old dog Barley when he was sick and before he passed away in 2016.
In January 2019, I found a very aggressive tumor on her abdomen which we had removed in mid-February. We were concerned she wouldn't survive the surgery because of her damaged heart. But she did. She seemed to be recovering well after the surgery. But, on March 1, she stopped eating and was having extreme difficulty breathing. Then today, March 3rd, I found her, revived her, brought her to the vet, returned home with her, and within a few minutes of getting home she passed away in my arms.
Please give your dog preventative heartworm medication. Bitsy was the second dog that I adopted with heartworm. Both could have lived longer.