We rescued Diesel aged 5 in August 2017.

He had been severely neglected - incredibly skinny, terrible skin allergies, fed on human scraps, no access to fresh water, had never had a bed or a toy, and wasn't walked in over 2 years. He was locked in a kitchen day and night and had no access to a garden.

Over the past 8 months we've built up his weight, addressed numerous allergies, gave him his first bed (and more!), he has a box full of toys which he loves playing with, and he gets several walks a day. We've even managed to successfully train him to be an off lead dog. He loves a tennis ball!

Diesel is such a character and has become a huge part of our lives, and he has touched the hearts of many through Instagram @newbuild_dreamlife with his daily antics.

Last week though I noticed he wasn't quite right and he started searching the house for water - everywhere - so I took him straight to the vets. He was suffering with hypercalcaemia (increased calcium in his blood levels) and his kidney levels were elevated. He was referred to an expert to identify the cause, but there has been a rapid and dramatic decline in his health.

He's lost 8kg in weight in a week, has stopped eating, has a food tube in his neck, along with a jugular catheter for access to take more bloods and to pump him full of fluids, antibiotics and steroids. He has been put through so many tests and scans - whilst he's miles away from us in a cage wondering why we've left him and why he's so poorly.

Although Diesel is insured up to £5,000, the bills have gone over this value. Looking at all the results of the tests together, we are relieved to hear they are 90-95% sure that it's not cancer - but it is either a kidney disease or infection.

The cost of treatment will increase more, but there is a chance that with the right medication this can be cured and he could live a long and healthy life. We are hoping and praying he can get through this - and we can have the handsome goofball back home x