Bradley is an extremely sweet, black Labrador puppy. When he meets you, he immediately wants to be near you, love you and have you love him. His big, brown, soulful eyes lure you right in, and his gentle and extraordinarily loving disposition instantly holds your heart captive. Before you know it, you're showering him with love and affection, and finding yourself falling for his adorably persuasive charms. North Shore Animal League America rescued Bradley from a shelter down south and knew that our facility was better equipped to handle his complicated medical needs.

Just a puppy of eight months, Bradley wants to play and be frisky and rambunctious. When he does, however, he starts to wheeze and cough deeply. The sound of his wheezing can be quite alarming at first listen and heartbreaking every time. Poor Bradley is recovering from a severe upper respiratory infection and suffers from severe, persistent pneumonia with a collapsed lobe of the lung, which may take months to resolve. In addition, his bronchoscopy (a test to view the airways and diagnose lung disease) showed that he has a stubborn infection, which we are working to overcome. On the outside, Bradley appears to be a strong, vibrant pup, animated and overflowing with excitement. On the inside, he is vulnerable, delicate, exposed and in need of special care.

Fortunately, North Shore Animal League America values every life – young, old, healthy, and ill. We know that there is love and patience waiting for all of these precious animals, and we are happy to care for them until the right person comes along to give them a permanent home.

The League's medical center is working around the clock to give Bradley the best medical care possible. He is currently on antibiotics and needs therapy including exercise and coupage (gentle banging on chest walls) to encourage coughing up mucus. We can't be entirely sure what Bradley's future holds; however, the possibility exists that if his condition worsens, he may need surgery on his lung in the future. The removal of a diseased lobe in the lung is a very risky surgery. There is also the possibility that if the infection can not be controlled, Bradley will experience progressively decreased lung functionality resulting in a respiratory, crippled status.

Bradley's health has its highs and its lows, and because his pneumonia is persistent, we know that even when it's resolved, it may leave lingering problems. His ceaseless wheeze is a constant reminder of his ongoing struggle. In the meantime, Bradley loves to go for walks and runs, but needs to go slowly for now until he can build his strength up. Even though he wants to and is capable of strenuous activity, it's best for him not to exert himself; so no roughhousing and only limited excitement is best.

We are happy to take care of all Bradley's various needs - physical and emotional - but it would be so much better for him to settle down in the loving arms and comfortable home of a caring and tender family. Bradley is an amazing dog and lights up the room merely by entering it. He is truly a delight, and we are so lucky to have him.

Won’t you please help Bradley continue to get the intensive medical care he so desperately needs? Your thoughtful contribution will not only assist us in helping Bradley and countless other animals heal, but will send a vital message that all life has value. Please join us in remembering that compassion is priceless.