Read Kenny's story.

At just three months old, Kenny, a young black lab mix was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. He had undergone surgery where a balloon angioplasty was inserted to open up the vessels and allow the flow of blood to his lungs. We featured Kenny's poignant story in the "Help Me Heal" section of our website in eager hopes of finding him a kind and caring home.

As luck or fate would have it, one of our loyal supporters, Renee Mullarney, found Kenny's story and was astonished by what she read. Renee's husband (fiancée at the time), a 22-year veteran Jersey City firefighter, suffered from the same heart condition. Even more ironically, he shared the same name: Ken. Renee found these similarities to be more than coincidence. She thought it was destiny and knew she had to act. It was when she told Ken of this unique coincidence that they immediately decided that this special little puppy would make their family complete.

Renee and Ken were married on October 22nd in Queens, and the very next day, they came to the League and met Kenny for the first time. Ken told us, "Kenny hugged my wife and wouldn't let her go." Both Ken and Renee agreed that this was "their" dog, and it was time to take him home.

Unfortunately, little Kenny was sick with pneumonia and needed to spend some more time in the League's Medical Center before he could have his operation. But on November 4th, when Kenny was feeling a little better, the newlyweds adopted him - even before he had his heart operation.

Later, toward the end of December, Kenny had his heart operation, and it went as smoothly as we had prayed for. The doctor said that Kenny's valve was properly opened and that he had a 90% chance of a full recovery.

North Shore Animal League America is proud to be able to have given the greatest gift of all - unconditional love. Just ask Renee and Ken who tenderly conveyed that all they wanted for Christmas was "for Kenny to make it through his heart surgery with flying colors and to grow up to be a healthy, big boy." So far their wish has come true.

Whether it is fate or chance, we are so happy that the Mullarneys have found Kenny, and we are thrilled that his surgery went so well. We wish Kenny the best of luck with his new life, and we know he will have happiness with his new family.

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