While Fiona got a lucky break, another local puppy is in need of assistance.

Sunshine is a five-month-old Jack Russell Terrier mix who was born with a life-threatening birth defect. She has only one kidney, and the ureter from the kidney, which should attach to her bladder, does not.

This causes a host of problems, including the life-threatening one of leaving an opening directly to the kidney, an opening that eventually will cause infections and destroy the organ.

When local volunteers from Smiley Dog Rescue rescued her at a Bay Area shelter, they thought she had a simple bladder infection that could be cured with a quick course of antibiotics. After that, they believed, she would be ready to go to her new permanent home.

When it didn’t clear up, she went back to the vet, who discovered the real problem.

The surgery to correct the problem can only be done by a specialist and is far too expensive for the limited resources of a rescue group.

Her foster mother, who lives in Napa, decided to try to raise the necessary funds rather than have Sunshine put to sleep. So far, Sunshine shows no symptoms other than needing to wear diapers, and volunteers find it heart-wrenching to consider giving up on her.

Generous people have been donating for her surgery at the Chefs Market, at yard sales held by volunteers and at Napa’s Alston Park, where dog lovers gather.

So far, Smiley Dog Rescue has received about one-third of the necessary amount.

Contact Trudy at 337-2173 or Lee at 337-2442 to donate for Sunshine.