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Rocket Gives us SO Much Love!

Rocket Gives us SO Much Love!

Rocket means so much to me, my children, family and friends.  I was once told that Rocket is my "soulmate".  A title that I happily agree with.

Fashion News from the WSJ for Frankie's Friends

The Wall Street Journal reported on Ramy Sharps new fashion line and show. We’re delighted a percentage of proceeds from the show was donated to Frankie’s Friends.

Here’s an excerpt, and we’ve included the entire article for your viewing pleasure! Click on the photo for the entire article.

Ramy Brook WSJ FF“NEWS FROM WATER MILL, N.Y.—There were a lot of ladies wearing long beach dresses and colorful coverups celebrating the first fashion show of Ramy Brook the other day at a beachside home here on Dune Road. Ramy Brook is a fashion line by Ramy Sharp, a mother of three who splits her time between Bridgehampton and Manhattan. Her line of separates sells at, among other places, Shopbop and Neiman Marcus, but, because they are made in smaller quantities from more limited fabrics, the coverups are available mostly at smaller boutiques in the Hamptons.There were racks of Ms. Sharp’s upcoming collection and one-of-a-kind coverups. And there were friends selling jewelry, both vintage and contemporary. A percentage of trunk show sales would go to Frankie’s Friends, a favorite charitable pet foundation of Harriet Croman, the afternoon’s host.”

5K ‘Fun Run’ to Help Twin Cities’ Pets

Frankies Friends Fun Run MINNEAPOLIS – Frankie’s Friends’ third annual 5k run or walk fundraiser to help Twin Cities’ pets is scheduled to be held August 3 at Lake Harriet.

The fundraiser, Frankie’s Fun Run, is for people and pets and benefits pets whose families otherwise would not be able to afford life-saving emergency or specialty treatment.

"Each year we've been able to provide more help to pets whose families struggle financially," said Marcie Wagner, development director of Frankie's Friends in Minnesota. "Hopefully this year will be no exception and we'll be able to do even more with the continued support from our wonderful community."

The race starts at 9:30 a.m. and individuals can register in advance or the day of the event to participate.

Individuals participating in the race will receive a t-shirt, lunch and a chance to enter and win prizes.

Registration costs $40 and can be made in advance online at http://www.frankiesfriends.com, or in person starting at 8 a.m. the morning of the event. Registered participants need to pick up their t-shirts and race numbers between 8 to 8:45 a.m.

Participants should meet at Beard’s Plaisance Park on the west side of Lake Harriet, located at 4135 West Lake Harriet Parkway in Minneapolis.

About 200 people are expected to participate.

For more information, visit the Frankie’s Friends website at frankiesfriends.com or call the event hotline at 1.888.917.4467.

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Date: July 11, 2013Contact: James P. Judge

Media & Public Relations ManagerFrankie’s Friends

813.549.7688, office

james.judge@bluepearlvet.com

Frankie's Friends Featured on CBS 5 in Nashville

(Click the image to see the story)

by Shannon Royster

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Melanie Fauchet wants every child to have a fighting chance, so she's opened up her home.

"I have 15 children. Ten of them are adopted majority handicapped from a variety of countries," said Fauchet.

She and her husband are drowning in medical bills. "I mean we have doctor's appointments at least every week," said Fauchet.

But that didn't stop the Fauchet family from spreading their love even further.

"When we heard about Nova needing a home we just decided that would be a nice thing," said Fauchet. "He's a very friendly and nice dog."

What they didn't know is Nova too would soon need medical care.

"He chased a squirrel over a ledge and the squirrel went over and landed fine, but Nova jumped over and didn't land fine," said Fauchet.

The 2-year-old German Sheppard mix broke his leg, and it would cost $3,300 to fix it. Fortunately, financial help she didn't know existed was on the way.

"Once you apply to care credit and your care credit is denied, then we can move into the application process with Frankie's Friends." said Carla Ciuffo of Frankie's Friends.

It's a national non-profit group new to Tennessee that provides grants to qualifying pet owners.

"We can only help people if people help us," said Ciuffo. They rely on public donations to the group's Hope Fund.

Once approved for the grant, the hospital and attending vet also make a contribution.

In this case, all of Fauchet's bill will be taken care of except 500 dollars, something she said she can handle for Nova.

Frankie's Friends does not fund primary care like ear infections, teeth cleaning, vaccinations and preventative care.

Nova is expected to make a full recovery after surgery next week.

If you need help for your pet or if you would like to make a donation click here.

Email: sroyster@newschannel5.com Facebook: Facebook.com/NC5ShannonRoyster Twitter: Twitter.com/NC5_SRoyster

Speakeasy Fundraiser to help Tampa Bay’s Pets

TAMPA, Fla. – Frankie’s Friends’ third annual fundraiser to benefit Tampa Bay area pets is scheduled to be held Oct. 18, at the Centro Asturiano de Tampa. The fundraiser, Frankie’s Friends Unleashed for Hope, benefits pets whose families would otherwise not be able to afford life-saving emergency or specialty treatment.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m., when guests will travel back in time. Those attending the event are encouraged to dress in prohibition-era attire in order to fully experience the speakeasy-style party.

The event will feature music provided by the Vodkanauts band with dancing entertainment provided by Fred Astaire Dance Studio and character entertainment provided by Wiseguys InterACTive Entertainment.

Passwords to gain entrance to the speakeasy will be provided at a cost of $100 per person.

The speakeasy will feature an open bar as well as cocktail food and dessert catered from several Tampa Bay area restaurants.

Complimentary valet will be provided or free parking is available on-site.

For more information, see the Frankie’s Friends website at frankiesfriends.com or call the event hotline at 813.549.6978.

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Date: May 13, 2013 Contact: James P. Judge Media & Public Relations Manager Frankie’s Friends 813.549.7688, office james.judge@bluepearlvet.com

Local Women’s Club Gives $500 to Frankie’s Friends

TAMPA, Fla. – The General Federation of Women’s Clubs Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club has donated $500 to Frankie’s Friends charitable pet foundation. The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club is an organization dedicated to strengthening the community and enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service

“Throughout their existence, women’s clubs associated with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs have made a significant impact on their local communities,” said Bonni Voiland, executive director of Frankie’s Friends. “We greatly appreciate the service of the Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club and are thankful for their generous contribution, which will help save the lives of Tampa Bay area pets.”

Frankie’s Friends is a non-profit corporation dedicated to providing life-saving emergency and specialty veterinary care to pets whose families would otherwise be unable to afford the cost of care.

Anyone interested in donating to Frankie’s Friends is encouraged to visit http://www.frankiesfriends.com

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Date: Apr. 15, 2013 Contact: James P. Judge
Media & Public Relations Manager
BluePearl Veterinary Partners
813.549.7688, office
james.judge@bluepearlvet.com
MEDIA RELEASE

Frankie's Friends Helps New York City Dog That Swallowed 111 Pennies

By

A Jack Russell terrier who took the phrase, “keep the change,” very literally is recovering in New York City today after swallowing more than 111 pennies.

The dog, appropriately named Jack, swallowed at least $1.11 in change last weekend while his owner, Tim Kelleher, wasn’t looking, according to Dr. Amy Zalcman, the senior emergency doctor at BluePearl Veterinary Partners who oversaw Jack’s treatment.

Kelleher took Jack to the BluePearl clinic in Manhattan Saturday afternoon after he noticed the pennies were gone and his dog was sick and vomiting.

X-rays performed on the 13-year-old dog immediately showed a collection of pennies inside his body so veterinarians performed an endoscopy, using a camera to locate the pennies.  It took an internal  medicine specialist nearly two hours to remove all of the 111 pennies still left in Jack’s system.  The doctor removed them four to five at a time, grabbing them with the scope and placing them in an attached basket, according to Zalcman.

“I would say he’s a very lucky dog,” she told ABCNews.com.  “First, that we were able to get them all out by scope and not surgery, and that he hasn’t had any secondary signs of zinc toxicity.”

Owner Kelleher told the New York Daily News his “voracious Tasmanian devil” of a pet was going after a bagel when he got the pennies instead.

“He climbed on my desk to get at the bag with the bagel and knocked the change all over the floor,” said Kelleher, who could not be reached today by ABCNews.com.  “While he was licking up the crumbs, he swallowed the pennies.”

Zalcman said the zinc pennies could have caused damage to Jack’s kidneys, liver and red blood cells and eventually blocked his intestines, especially given the amount that he swallowed.

“We certainly see pennies consumed by dogs but not in this magnitude,” she said.  “That’s what is so extreme about this case.”

Jack’s owner said his dog is back to his normal self after the nearly $2,500 procedure, part of which was paid for by Tampa-based Frankie’s Friends, an animal charity.

“He’s driving me crazy again,” Kelleher told the Daily News.

Hangin’ 10 for Frankie’s Friends Raises $56,000 for Tampa Bay’s Pets

TAMPA, Fla. – Frankie’s Friends charitable pet foundation’s fundraiser, Hangin’ 10 for Frankie’s Friends raised in net of more than $56,000 to help Tampa Bay area pets Nov. 3. The money raised from the event will be used to help fund emergency and specialty life-saving treatment for pets whose families cannot afford it. In addition to the money raised at the event, BluePearl Veterinary Partners will match 25% of the amount raised at the event for deserving pets in services provided at their hospitals.

Candy and Eddie DeBartolo and the DeBartolo Family Foundation were the presenting sponsors of the event. Hangin' 10 for Frankie’s Friends was filled with the sights and sounds of beach life including live 1960s beach music performed by Cactus Jack and the Cadillacs.

Silent and live auctions were held, which included the auction of a 2012 Harley Davidson Sportster, two red-carpet trips to the American Music Awards, a flight in a fighter jet, 20 box seats for a Lightning game, a Jason Hullfish wall mural, and two tickets to the Super Bowl.

“We’re so thankful for the members of the community that came out to support Frankie’s Friends this year,” said 2012 event chair Lisa DeBartolo. “We were able to exceed our expectations for a second year in a row and guarantee more financial assistance to provide life-saving specialty and emergency care to pets whose families could not afford it otherwise.”

There were 230 guests in attendance at the event.

If you’d like to help save the life of a pet whose family cannot afford the cost of medical care visit www.frankiesfriends.com or call 888.465.PETS.

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Students’ Fundraiser Assists Dog Injured in Hurricane Sandy

NEW YORK – Students from a Staten Island school raised money to support a New York pet charity and the funds they raised have helped pay for surgery on a dog named Bruno, who was injured after evacuating from his home that was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. Students at Elias Bernstein Intermediate School 7 raised more than $1,300 for Frankie’s Friends, a charitable pet foundation, by sponsoring about 20 teachers in a 5k race that was held hours before Hurricane Sandy made landfall.

Teachers and students from Elias Bernstein IS 7 routinely look for ways to give back to the community. After a recent incident in which their principal’s dog required surgery, the school decided to raise money for Frankie’s Friends, which helps families who otherwise could not afford life-saving emergency care for their pets.

Bruno lived in Howard Beach. After evacuating their home, which was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, Bruno, his “dad,” and another family dog have been living in their car. But Bruno, a Staffordshire bull terrier, got loose and was hit by a car. Bruno required surgery at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Queens to repair a complex fracture to his front left limb.

Because of the financial assistance the man received through Frankie’s Friends, which included the help provided by the students and faculty Elias Bernstein IS 7, Bruno and his family can use their scarce resources to find a place to rent.

If you’d like to help save the life of a pet whose family cannot afford the cost of medical care visit www.frankiesfriends.com or call 888.465.PETS.

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Fundraiser to help Tampa Bay’s pets

Fundraiser to help Tampa Bay’s pets

TAMPA, Fla. – Frankie’s Friends charitable pet foundation is scheduled to hold a fundraiser here Saturday, Nov. 3, from 6-10 p.m. at T. Pepin Hospitality Centre on North 50th Street in Tampa.

This year, the event is called Hangin’ 10 for Frankie’s Friends. The money raised from the event will be used to help fund emergency and specialty life-saving treatment for pets whose families cannot afford it.

Presenting sponsors of the event are Candy and Eddie DeBartolo and the DeBartolo Family Foundation. Hangin' 10 for Frankie’s Friends will be filled with the sights and sounds of beach life including live 1960s beach music performed by Cactus Jack and the Cadillacs.

Silent and live auctions will be held, which will include a 2012 Harley Davidson Sportster, a red-carpet trip to the American Music Awards, a flight in a fighter jet, 20 box seats for a Lightning game, a Jason Hullfish wall mural, and two tickets to the Super Bowl along with many more items.

“In 2011, our first fundraiser for Frankie’s Friends raised more than $50,000,” said 2012 Honorary Event Chair Lisa DeBartolo. “This year we hope to raise even more money to continue to help pets and families who are in need.”

Two-hundred-fifty guests are expected to attend.

For more information, see the Frankie’s Friends website at frankiesfriends.com or call the event hotline at 888.552.5066.

 

Your Support Makes it Possible

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qps1G7JMi4 This video tells the heartwarming stories of three pets who were able to receive the life-saving treatments they needed because of people's generous donations to Frankie's Friends.

Artist John Cannon's portraits help Frankie's Friends help pet owners

Combination of art, charity covers owners' bills FRANKLIN — Fine artist John Cannon, whose studio/gallery is located in The Factory at Franklin, is teaming up with Brentwood’s Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners and a nonprofit organization, Frankie’s Friends, to help save pets’ lives.

The purchase of commissioned pet portraits, as well as the artist’s current show at Blue Pearl, along with selected pieces at his Franklin gallery, will result in 30 percent of sales going to Frankie’s Friends, which offers assistance to people who are suddenly faced with unexpected pet crises and who are unable to afford life-saving treatment.

Matt Laing, hospital administrator for Blue Pearl’s four Middle Tennessee locations, said there’s no planning ahead for a pet that needs to be rushed to a pet emergency facility as a result of injury or in need of life saving treatment for a diagnosis of cancer.

“Some people have pet insurance, but many are caught facing significant veterinary bills just out of the blue,” he said. “Think of the dilemma someone can face in this difficult economy. Do you feed your family or save your pet? Frankie’s Friends can step in to help in such situations.”

Kristy Hemp, development director in Tennessee for the Florida-based charitable organization, says she well identifies with that kind of crisis.

“When our cat, Zorro, was only 1 year old, he suddenly had a significant medical crisis,” she said.

“We took him to an emergency clinic. At first they suspected cancer. As it turned out it was not, but saving his life cost us literally thousands of dollars. Fortunately, we had just received a tax refund and we used it all on his treatment; I don’t know what we would have done otherwise.”

Artist knows the joy and the pain of pets

Cannon, a lifelong pet lover, lost his beloved 13-year-old dog, Buddy, three months ago. Though he was not faced with a financial crisis, he says he well knows the joy pets bring and the pain of losing them. Already an artist who enjoys painting pet portraits, he says he was thrilled when Frankie’s Friends contacted him about helping the organization by donating a portion from the sale of his paintings.

“Over the years I have rescued so many pets and loved so many, to help in any way to save pets’ lives is so wonderful,” said the artist. “The work this organization is doing is just fabulous. I’m as excited as I can be to take part.”

He is often commissioned to do pet portraits; now a portion of those commissions goes to Frankie’s Friends.

“If a pet is deceased, I of course do the portraits from the family’s pictures. Otherwise, I like to meet the pets and get a sense of their personalities. I also shoot photos of them during that meeting, and I work from those as well as pictures provided by the family. It’s a real joy to create the portraits,” says the artist, who taught English and then practiced law for 25 years.

“I studied art as an undergrad, then obtained a master’s in English, taught school and didn’t enjoy it. So I became an attorney and spent my career there. All those years, I kept drawing — and remained drawn to art,” he said.

A decade ago he began studying art again and started painting. Six years ago, he opened John Cannon Fine Arts in The Factory. Two years ago he stopped practicing law and fulfilled his lifelong dream — he became a full-time artist.

Emergency vet practice expands

While Cannon was finding his dream, veterinarians in Brentwood were finding their own.

Three years ago, Pet Emergency Treatment Services had three doctors seeking to expand emergency and critical care.

“We found the Blue Pearl system, based in Florida. It was a good fit for what we wanted to do here. We joined what was then an organization of three hospitals. Now there are 27 across the country,” said Laing.

Now the Brentwood practice has 15 physicians offering 24-hour emergency services and maintains satellite facilities in Goodlettsville and 12th Avenue South in Nashville. A fourth opens next month in Murfreesboro.

“Our specialists go to those other clinics by appointment; we look forward to growing all of them to be 24-hour emergency centers,” Laing said.

Blue Pearl’s vets also specialize in cancer, cardiology, internal medicine, radiology, surgery and rehabilitation. They frequently work by referral from area veterinarians.

The area Blue Pearl facilities join the founding Florida hospital in working with Freddie’s Friends to find funding for families in need of financial assistance to provide life-saving care for their pets.

Charity program dates to 1996

In 1996, the founding physician of the forerunner of Blue Pearl started Veterinary Cancer Foundation to help clients facing huge medical bills in the treatment for their pets with cancer.

In 2008, the foundation’s name was changed to Frankie’s Friends to honor Frankie, a greyhound who died in 2007 after battling heart disease and cancer since 2000. Frankie’s family made a significant donation to the foundation and continues to be generous supporters.

The local Blue Pearl facilities began working with Frankie’s’ Friends to benefit their patients, and this past April, the organization hired Hemp to establish a full-time presence here.

“Frankie’s Friends recognized right away the dedication in this area by people to their pets,” Hemp said. “Blue Pearl only had some printed materials in their offices; the level of interest and support they garnered prompted them to establish here. All monies raised for Frankie’s Friends here stays here to help area families and their pets.”

Requests can be evaluated quickly

Laing says while Blue Pearl also works with a number of other pet charities in the area to assist their clients, that work can often take precious days to get financial decisions on assistance.

“Sometimes days — even hours — are critical in saving a pet’s life. Frankie’s Friends can evaluate requests immediately and offer help within the same day,” he said.

As Frankie’s Friends steps in, Blue Pearl also discounts fees by at least 25 percent.

“We ask that the families participate at some level financially, but certainly it is our goal to save those pets’ lives. Often people who are in temporary tough financial times come back when their situation improves and give back so other animals can be saved,” he said.

Mural in Brentwood depicts 'Tree of Life'

Frankie’s Friends’ local initiative is painting a huge mural in the Brentwood’s hospital of “The Tree of Life,” with leaves that bear pets’ names and messages.

Smaller leaves are $100 each and larger are $150 each. All donations are tax deductible.

“The leaves can be in memory of a beloved lost pet or in celebration of a healthy vibrant pet. You need not be a Blue Pearl client to buy a leaf nor to come enjoy and/or purchase a piece of John Cannon’s art from his collection hanging in the lobby. His pieces range from $100 to $1,000 and encompass broad subject matter — from pets to landscapes,” Hemp said.

Frankie's Friends And Artist Team Up For Pets

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – June 4, 2012 – Local artist John Cannon and Frankie’s Friends, a nonprofit that provides emergency and specialty care for pets with cancers and other diseases, are working together to raise awareness of the devastating impact that these diseases have on pets and their families. Cannon’s paintings of pet portraits and other artwork will be on display throughout the summer at BluePearl Veterinary Partners pet hospital located at 1668 Mallory Lane in Brentwood. Thirty percent of the artwork sale proceeds will be donated to Frankie’s Friends. Cannon will also donate 30 percent of the proceeds of commissioned pet portrait and select artwork from his studio in The Factory.

Having a pet with cancer or another devastating disease can leave pet owners at a loss  of what to do. Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine over the past several years, the quality of care has improved remarkably and more treatment options are available. Unfortunately, many of these options are costly and most pet families do not carry health insurance for veterinary care.

The challenge to provide financial assistance for pets from families without resources can be overwhelming. That’s where Frankie’s Friends comes in.

“We’re thrilled to have John on board with Frankie’s Friends to help give hope to Tennessee families and save the lives of their pets,” said Kristy Hemp, development director for Frankie’s Friends of Tennessee. “His pet paintings capture those loveable personalities that we just can’t live without.”

For his part, Cannon is very excited to be able to help this wonderful organization. He currently has three cats and a dog, though he recently lost one of his long time canine companions. “The bond between a person and a pet is something special and unique in this world,” said Cannon. “I love being able to make paintings that capture the spirit and character of a pet for that pet’s family. Being able to create that art and financially support an organization such as Frankie’s Friends is a fantastic blessing.”

About Frankie’s Friends and BluePearl Veterinary Partners: Frankie’s Friends is a non-profit foundation dedicated to finding cures and saving pets with cancer and other serious pet diseases. Frankie’s Friends of Tennessee provides hope for families who are simply unable to provide critical medical care for their pets due to financial constraints. The charity is supported by BluePearl Veterinary Partners who also contribute funding and match Frankie’s Friends funds with at least a 25 percent discount on care. BluePearl hospitals are among the nation’s leading providers of emergency and specialty veterinary medicine. Middle Tennessee is home to four BluePearl hospitals: Brentwood, Goodlettsville, Nashville, and Murfreesboro. Learn more at www.frankiesfriends.com or contact Kristy Hemp at 888.600.5254 or khemp@frankiesfriends.com.

CONTACT:
Kristy Hemp
Frankie's Friends
Development Director, Tennessee Region
frankiesfriends.comAmy Gray Kovar, APR Gray Public Relations 616 Overview Ln. Franklin TN 37064 615.497.1799 akovar@graypr.com graypr.com

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3rd Grader Raises Money for Cancer Research

When Paityn Flood’s dog died of cancer, she knew she wanted to do something to help find a cure. So, she took to collecting donations for Frankie’s Friends. Click here to see the news story and her inspiring action.