Tough’s Journey
Tough’s August 2026 Medical Update
Update: 8/25/2026
Tough continues to do wonderfully in his long-term foster home while we work to better understand his unique medical needs and what his future care will look like.
Tough was recently evaluated by the Internal Medicine team at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital because of his congenital abnormalities and ongoing endocrine concerns. One of the most encouraging developments from that visit has been his response to desmopressin, which was prescribed to manage his central diabetes insipidus.
Since beginning treatment, Tough’s excessive drinking and urination have resolved, his urine is becoming more concentrated, and his blood sodium levels are improving. These are all very positive signs that the medication is addressing an important part of his condition.
Tough’s previous MRI also provided some important answers. His pituitary gland is severely underdeveloped and is not visibly identifiable on the MRI. The pituitary gland plays an important role in regulating many of the body’s hormones, and this abnormality helps explain several of Tough’s medical challenges, including his unusually small stature.
The good news is that some of the hormones normally regulated by the pituitary gland can potentially be supplemented through medication. As we continue working with his veterinary specialists, we are evaluating which hormonal deficiencies may be present and what treatments may be appropriate for him long term.
What Comes Next
Tough still has additional monitoring and recommended endocrine evaluations ahead of him. Completing these evaluations will be important in helping us understand the full picture of his condition and establish a realistic long-term care plan.
For now, Tough remains unavailable for adoption while that work continues. We want to make sure that when the time comes to consider adoption, we understand his medical needs as thoroughly as possible and can provide a prospective family with a clear picture of the care he will require.
In the meantime, Tough is doing exactly what we hope for him: he is living his life.
His foster family tells us that he loves to snuggle, gives plenty of kisses, and enjoys getting outside for adventures. Despite being blind and having significant hearing impairment, Tough has adapted remarkably well to his world. He is brave, curious, affectionate, and continues to show everyone around him just how resilient he is.
Tough may always have some very special medical needs, but those needs don't define him. He is a happy, loving dog who is thriving in the care of a family committed to giving him the time, patience, and support he deserves.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has followed Tough's journey, advocated for him, donated toward his care, and helped us give him the opportunity to keep moving forward.
Tough's medical journey is still unfolding, but for now, this little guy is doing great and we couldn't be happier about that.
💙 Tough’s Journey Update — August 2026 💙
Tough recently had his first appointment with the Neurology team at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital on July 30, 2026. While Tough had previously been seen at CSU for an initial evaluation and referral, this was his first visit with the specialists focused on his neurologic concerns.
We received some encouraging news: Tough is still doing well, and the specialists are pleased that his condition has remained unchanged.
The Neurology team believes Tough’s blindness, deafness, circling, and other neurologic differences are most likely related to a congenital condition (something he was born with) or an injury that occurred very early in life. His vision loss appears to be related to how his brain processes vision rather than a problem with his eyes alone. Ophthalmology also identified several eye abnormalities, including underdeveloped optic nerves and early cataracts.
The next step in understanding Tough’s condition is an MRI scheduled for August 5, 2026. This will hopefully provide more information about the cause of his neurologic differences and help guide his long-term care plan. The estimated cost of the MRI is approximately $5,000.
The most important thing we have learned is that Tough continues to be a happy, resilient puppy who is adapting beautifully. He has been working on building confidence, learning to walk on leash, and using his incredible sense of smell to explore the world around him. He has even spent time at Elevation Dog Daycare, where enrichment activities like lure work and scent work have helped him gain confidence and experience new things.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has followed Tough’s journey, donated, shared his story, and supported him along the way. A special thank you goes to his foster family, especially Jillian, who continues to go above and beyond to give Tough the love, patience, advocacy, and care he deserves. 💙 (**view past updates at the bottom of this page)
About Tough
Tough is an 8-month-old Presa Canario/Husky mix puppy currently in our care. Despite his young age, Tough is facing significant lifelong challenges. He is blind, mostly deaf, and has additional congenital medical conditions that will require ongoing evaluation, specialized care, and a lifetime of support.
Even with everything he has faced, Tough is a resilient, happy, and incredibly sweet puppy who is learning to experience the world in his own way. He continues to show us his gentle spirit and reminds us every day that he deserves the same chance at a safe, comfortable, and loving life as any other dog.
We are incredibly grateful for the foster families that have taken this sweet boy into their hearts and homes.
At this time, Tough is not yet available for adoption as we continue working with his veterinary specialists to better understand his medical needs and determine the best path forward for him. Our focus right now is making sure we have a full understanding of his conditions and the support he will need to continue living his best life.
To help Tough thrive, he needs specialized medical support and adaptive care, including:
A Muffin’s Halo for Blind Dogs, which will help him safely navigate his environment, prevent injuries, and build confidence as he moves through space
Acupuncture treatments, which may help support his overall comfort, neurological function, and quality of life
Ongoing veterinary care and diagnostics, including specialist evaluation to better understand his congenital conditions and long-term needs
Coverage for medical expenses already incurred, as well as continued care moving forward
Tough has already begun his medical journey, but we are still learning about the full extent of his needs. His upcoming specialist evaluations will help guide us in creating the best possible plan to give him the care, comfort, and support he deserves.
Your donations will directly help provide Tough with the medical attention, adaptive equipment, and long-term care needed to give him the best quality of life possible.
No contribution is too small. Every donation helps give Tough a chance at comfort, stability, and a future filled with love.
We will continue to share updates as we learn more about Tough’s medical needs and his journey forward.
“A special thank you to the TikTok creator who posted a video of Tough and helped introduce him to thousands of people. We are so grateful for everyone who has taken the time to watch, share, and support this sweet boy.”
Tough’s Amazon Wishlist
To help Tough live his best live please concider purchasing an item or two from his Amazon Wishlist.
These items support his daily care, comfort, and enrichment.
These items ship directly to LAWS and will be used specifically for Tough.
A Big Step Forward for Tough! 🐾- Update 6/17/2026
We are so grateful for the outpouring of love for our sweet boy, Tough. Thanks to your incredible support, we were able to get him to his specialist appointment at Colorado State University yesterday!
It was a big day for him, and we are so proud of how brave he was. The CSU team performed a thorough evaluation of his chronic neurologic signs, including his vision and hearing, and re-checked his kidney function and electrolytes.
While we are still waiting on some final lab results, his condition is currently stable. However, CSU emphasized that his care will require ongoing monitoring and continued diagnostics to fully understand and manage his needs.
The CSU team’s current primary concern is a condition called diabetes insipidus, which affects how the brain regulates water balance in the body. This can lead to excessive thirst and urination and can make it difficult for the body to maintain normal hydration. His bloodwork showed elevated sodium and chloride levels along with very dilute urine, which further supports this concern. Additional testing will be needed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the underlying cause.
We have a follow-up appointment scheduled with the CSU Neurology service at the end of July. This will allow the specialists to complete a more in-depth evaluation, including determining whether his condition is congenital (something he was born with) or related to early trauma, and whether advanced imaging may be needed.
Based on his exam and results, CSU has also adjusted his medical plan, including starting a medication to help regulate his condition and carefully tapering him off prednisone as directed by the specialist team.
In the meantime, we are continuing his medication adjustments, closely monitoring him at home, and allowing him to set his own pace for daily activities. He remains on a normal diet and is comfortable in his foster home.
We still have a way to go, but we wouldn’t be here without you. His continued diagnostic workup and specialist care are only possible because of your support, and they are giving him the best chance at a comfortable, stable, and supported life.
How you can help today:
• Share his story: The more people who see Tough’s journey, the closer we get to our goal.
• Donate: Every bit helps us cover his ongoing specialist care, diagnostics, and medical needs.
• Follow for updates: We’ll continue to share his progress as we head into his July neurology appointment.
Thank you for being part of Team Tough. He’s one very loved little boy. ❤️
Tough’s Journey: A Little Puppy With a Big Spirit ❤️
6/29/2026- We had to share these sweet photos of Tough soaking up the summer sun, feeling the grass beneath his paws, and enjoying all the little moments life has to offer. He looks like he’s deeply contemplating the world around him — and maybe he is. 😊
Enjoying a world full of fascinating scents, gentle breezes, warm sunshine, soft grass, and the kindness of people around him.
Every day, Tough reminds us that quality of life isn’t measured by what someone can’t do, it’s measured by the love, comfort, and joy they experience.
And Tough knows love.
He knows the sound of friendly voices.
He knows the feeling of a caring hand.
He knows that humans can be safe.
And he absolutely knows the joy of endless snuggles. ❤️
