Great Karma! Krisna Gets Surgery

Dear Dr. Agnes Varis, On January 29th, 2010 my dog, Krisna, a German Sheppard mix, was diagnosed with Fibro sarcoma cancer which later turned out to be Melanoma. This diagnosis came one week before my birthday. Words can not describe how devastating this time was for me.  Krisna has been a significant part and love of my life for over 14 years. The vet said there was nothing they could do further, so I researched this terminal disease online. This is how I came across the NYC Veterinary Specialists. Out of all the veterinary oncology teams out there NYCVS seemed to be the best.

Since the moment I walked into the hospital on February 10th, I knew I made the right choice. Everyone was extremely helpful and considerate of Krishna’s and my own well being. Dr. Karen Oberthaler took extra time out of her busy schedule to explain the disease to me and what the possible treatments were, as I was extremely nervous of making the right decision. As it turned out, surgery was the best and only option for Krisna, to remove the tumor out of her mouth. However the cost of the surgery was way past the amount I could afford as I hardly had any employment in 2009 and therefore I was worried I would not be able to save Krisna’s life. As I was waiting in the examination room Bonni Voiland introduced herself as the executive director of Frankie’s Friends and explained to me what the foundation does and that the Zues Varis fund would be able to help me fund the surgery.

Dr.Oberthler and the oncology team’s services, along with your generous contribution saved Krisna’s life. I can’t describe my gratitude to you giving Krisna another opportunity at life. Because of this miracle she is now able to live a normal-quality full-term life. I only wish that you and the entire hospital experience the joy and happiness in your lives that I feel at this time.

I asked Bonni what I could do to help Frankie’s Friends and if she had any extra fliers for me to give out. At the time I was working at the Gershwin Theatre where the Broadway show Wicked was being performed and Bonni mentioned to me that Wicked happened to be her favorite Broadway show. So, I passed along one of those fliers and told the theatre's company manager the miraculous story of the help Krisna and I received.  I hoped to get just a few tickets as a thank you to give to you, Bonni, Dr. Oberthaler, and the oncology team. The company manager ended up donating 100 tickets to Frankie’s friends and NYCVS so that the whole hospital could attend Wicked on Thursday March 4th. I was hoping to meet you at the performance  so that I could personally thank you, but Bonni informed me that you were unable to attend. You were missed and in my thoughts that night.

This sums up the amazing story of how you and Frankie’s Friends saved Krisna’s life! Up to this date, she is doing great and living a high-quality of life; eating and drinking normally and playing with her toys and stuffed animals that she loves. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you! Best wishes to you and your family and all the staff at NYCVS!

With all of our love,

Krisna and Zofia

Meilo's Golden Years

My dog, Meilo, and I are recent beneficiaries of a grant from the Zeus Varis Fund to cover treatment for Meilo’s oral melanoma.  I send this letter to express my thanks to you for your tremendous generosity.  I am just overwhelmed by our good fortune and your remarkable altruism. Meilo is a male, apricot, mini-poodle.  He is 15 and ½ years old, deaf and has no teeth.  It is my understanding that they were removed due to infection (the same infection that impaired his hearing) at some point in the last five years.  Meilo came to me last June when his original owner, Dr. David Bauer, a pediatrician at NY Hospital, passed away due to complications of multiple sclerosis.  Dr. Bauer was confined to a wheelchair and had around-the-clock live-in nursing care in the last months of his life.  Meilo was his best friend and companion.

As a volunteer for the Jewish Association for Services for the Aged (JASA) in their Pets Project program, I was one of many who received an email plea for Meilo’s foster care on Dr. Bauer’s passing.  I was in also in a prime position to foster Meilo; as a graduate student of social work at Fordham University, I had a full month off from study/work obligations.  I took Meilo on and worked with JASA to find him a permanent home, but we never managed to engage a serious adopter.  This was lucky for me, because by the end of the month, Meilo had settled into my home (and my heart) and I was set on keeping him.

Without Zeus Varis funding, I simply would not have been in a position to opt for the treatment recommended and provided by Dr. Rocha and NYC Veterinary Specialists.  Words are inadequate to express my gratitude for having that option made possible.  I lost hours of sleep wondering, in those days that passed between Meilo’s tissue biopsy and a definitive diagnosis, how I would bring myself to say “I don’t have the money.  I have to decline treatment.”  After all that had been invested in Meilo to date, to come to a moment where there was a remedy at hand, only to be in an unaccommodating financial position was just unbearable.  Thanks to the Zeus Varis Fund, that bleak scenario was not realized.

Meilo had tumor and lymph node removal surgery with Dr. Kyles on April 22.  His recovery is nothing short of remarkable, given his age, and that the surgery necessitated the partial reconstruction of his lip. He received his first melanoma vaccine on May 12, with 3 more rounds to go through mid-July.

Meilo’s restored health could not come at a better time.  He so loves to take long walks and sit outside with me in the temperate weather.  Whenever possible, he accompanies me on outings and errands.  He is the center of attention in the wagon at Home Depot, and is the recipient of treats all along the avenue, from the dry-cleaner to the wine shop.  After years of being the only dog in the house, Meilo has taken beautifully to sharing space and affection with my 10-year-old Boston Terrier, Truman.  Truman may be a bully-breed, but it’s Meilo who regularly lets everyone know who’s boss!  Meilo also enjoys weekly visits with my mother’s five-year-old rescued Foxhound, Pearlie Mae.  He is a joy to everyone in my family, and is the “preferred” pup to bring on visits to the home of my six-year-old niece and nine-year-old nephew.

Again, Dr. Varis, thank you so much for providing the means to cover the costs of Meilo’s cancer treatment.  Meilo is such a joy, and though he’s 15+, he’s still new to me!  I certainly was not ready to part with him, or even consider doing so.  I am so grateful that this is no longer an immediate concern.

With warm regards,

Michele

Atticus Finch Fighting the Toughest Case of His Life

Atticus Finch is my four-year-old boxer.  He is sweet,  kind-of-lazy, comical and definitely in charge of his other fur siblings.  I got him at 10-months-old from a young couple who were recently married and had more dogs than they could care for.  He was bought for my female boxer who seemed depressed after the death of her doberman buddy just a couple of months ago.  While she did love Atticus she didn't perk up like my daughter and I expected and we shortly found out she had a brain tumor, so at three years we had to euthanize her. As time went on Atticus got a little chunky so we put him on a diet.  One year later he lost some weight....then more....then more. Everyone commented how good he looked but I felt it was too sudden a weight loss to be normal.  During his yearly routine exam, the vet commented on how good he looked but seemed a little quiet when I mentioned the "sudden" weight loss. After examining him he had me feel two lymph nodes behind his knees.  They were quite enlarged and I knew that combined with the weight loss this was not likely an infection.  My vet treated him with antibiotics but on recheck all of his lymph nodes were now enlarged.  I could not believe I was facing cancer yet again in a young dog!

I didn't want to sit by once again, watching one of my dogs dying in front of me.  When my vet told me how much the chemotherapy would cost I spent days trying to figure out how to come up with money I didn't have.  He referred me to Florida Veterinary Specialist oncologist Dr. Kane to see if there was any other options.  FVS got me in right away and Dr. Kane (who is quite awesome!) pretty much gave me the same treatment options and price as my regular vet.  I saw a pamphlet for Frankie's Friends and asked the vet tech about it.  She said she would refer my name to the "powers that be".  It took about three days and I received a call from Bonni Voiland telling me that Atticus was approved for Frankie's Friends and FVS to cover the cost of his chemo with a small co-pay from me every week!

Words cannot express the joy I felt knowing that Atticus would get the opportunity to fight this lymphoma that was trying to take him away at such a young age.  I felt that I had won the lottery! How can I explain how much hope is worth in mere words?

Atticus has started his treatment and is doing well so far.  He is a young, strong dog so I have faith that he will do well.  If it were not for Frankie's Friends, Bonni and Dr. Kane,  Atticus would probably not be here but for another couple of weeks.  You are all awesome and I am encouraging everyone I know to donate so the next dog with lymphoma can be give the same hope Atticus is being given.

In Gratitude,

Maureen

More Time Spent With Nena

I want to take this time to express my gratitude for all the help I have received in the last few weeks at NYC Veterinary Hospital. I want to thank Dr. Varis for the Zeus Varis Fund and Bonni Voiland, Executive Director of Frankie's Friends Pet Foundation, and also Dr. Mark Greenberg. I would have still been struggling to fend for the help I needed to help my cat Nena without the combined efforts of you wonderful people.

Thank you,

Ben

Come Join Us for a Great Night of Baseball!

Mindy and Randy Levine (Mr. Levine is president of the NY Yankees) are hosting a fund-raiser for Frankie's Friends in a private suite at Yankee Stadium on June 1 for the Yankees-Orioles game. The Levines pull out all the stops to make this a memorable event: private behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, dinner in the suite, visits from past Yankee players and VIPs.

It is an amazing evening, a once-in-a lifetime experience. $500/ticket and the capacity is extremely limited. Email giving@FrankiesFriends.com to reserve tickets by May 24.

Juneau: On the Road to Recovery

A big sigh of relief is being breathed by Juneau's family after his last chemo treatment. Juneau will follow up with Dr. Kane monthly.  We are hoping and praying for a long remission.  We know he can't and won't live forever, but we can't imagine our lives without him.  He is such a funny and happy dog, and brings us joy every single day.  He has been such a good sport about all of his chemo! Thanks again to the awesome docs at FMV

Alan and Lisa

A Boxer's Fight: Diva

I cannot adequately express my thanks for your generous help with my dog Diva's cancer care.  I have been unemployed since June of 2009 and it is has been increasingly difficult to make ends meet.  Your kind gift will literally extend the life of one of the sweetest and gentlest boxers that many have encountered. In your debt,

Sincerely,

David

Chemo Saves Zoey's Life

I can’t thank you enough for your generous fund you have set up for sick pets. Zoey is my six-year-old puppy who almost died from an aggressive and rapid case of Lymphoma. When I first came into the NYC Veterinary Specialists hospital, she was laying on the floor, her lungs filled with fluid,  anemic and skinny as a rail. Her ears were always down and she was tired all the time. She fell once down the stairs once and it was the saddest thing in the world to see.

I had tried everything to get her to eat for weeks and tried herbal and cheaper alternative cures.  I had avoided chemo because I couldn't afford it.

Because of your huge heart and incredibly generous fund, Zoey is alive and back to being herself! She has gained back the 10 pounds she lost, her ears are up, she runs up and down stairs and is back to begging for treats and chasing squirrels. The day she ate meat was an exciting day! She came up to me after she finished eating it and gave me a kiss. I cried, I was so happy.

We just visited my sister who lives in northern rural Vermont to get out of the city. Zoey was well enough to climb an uphill trail and run in the snow off-leash for several days which made us very happy. She is prancing again is a very happy creature.

Zoey was a rescue from the pound in Los Angeles, when I was a graduate student. She was two months old when I rescued her at the adoption fair. The pounds in LA are overrun. All the other dogs that weren't adopted that weekend I were euthanized. I’ve always felt blessed and felt she was a gift. She has an unusually gentle and angelic spirit.

I just can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for my family and for her. She is still in treatment, but is responding really well, so hopefully she won’t need too much more. I hope some of her results can help science in the study of cancer in dogs.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Love and Peace, Zoey’s mom

Saving Each Other: Blue Charlotte Cruz'n

First and foremost I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving my baby girl, Blue Charlotte Cruz’n, the chance that she so much deserves and that I would have not been able to provide for her. I lost a 13-year old Chow Chow back in March 2008 and I was devastated.  A couple of months later,  I happen to see Charlotte on the web,  she was scheduled to be put down the next morning.  I never owned a pit bull before and was a bit hesitant, but there was something about her face, so I called.  It took a couple of weeks but we bonded.  Charlotte had been an abused dog, she was thrown from a moving van on a highway when an animal rescue worker saw her. He saved her and then it was my turn, but in reality she saved me.  I was diagnosed with cancer about eight months later, and if it weren’t for her and my cat, I would’ve given up.  They were constantly at my side, they made me want to live.  Now it’s my turn to do what I can for her.  I have no children, all I have is them and I can’t bear the thought of losing Charlotte or Kitty, and I would’ve have if it hadn’t been for you.

I believe that angels exist and that God sent me a small army of angels to help Charlotte with this fight you, Bonnie, Dr. Rocha and Alba,  have given my girl the chance to get through this because she is not alone and with your help Dr. Varis, she’ll be around for a long time.

Nothing is impossible when there are people like you out there who care enough to help someone in their time of need.   I thank God for you and the help you have given me.  If I could give you my heart I would, but what I can do is keep you in my heart forever.  I will never, ever, forget your kindness and the gift that you have given us.

Que Dios te bendiga, Dra. Varis.

Always,

Norma E. Hernandez

A Beagle Blessing: Evey

We’d like to take this opportunity to say Thank You. If it wasn’t for the Zeus Varis Fund and Frankie’s Friends, we would never have been able to treat our little Evey. The day Evey was diagnosed with Lymphoma; our world was suddenly turned upside down. We knew we would not be able to provide adequate treatment for her and it was with an extremely heavy heart that we called and made an appointment for her to go see Dr. Oberthaler at NYC Veterinary Specialists. By the time we took Evey in, we had basically given up hope. We thought it was the beginning of the end of our time with her. We were so upset, because she’s such a young dog and had only recently fallen ill. It felt so unfair to have to say goodbye to her so soon.

Because of you, Dr. Varis and the staff at NYC Veterinary Specialists and Frankie’s Friends we have hope again. She seems to be responding well to the chemotherapy and she’s practically back to her old self. Most of our neighbors and friends can’t even tell that she’s sick at all! We recently took her to the dog park and she ran and played with our other little beagle Bailey. Words cannot truly express the feelings we had while we watching her play and run in the snow. It’s amazing to see her so full of life.

Every single day that we get to spend with Evey as a family is a true blessing.

Thank you again. The Fuentes-Eraso Family (Jose, Farah, Evey, Bailey & Baby Judith)

Mimi is Back to Loving Life

We are so happy and thankful to Dr. Agnes Varis and the Zeus Varis Fund of Frankie's Friends for the financial support given to us to help Mimi live a better life with her cancer.  Special thanks also to Dr. Emily Pointer at the ASPCA.  Her love and passion for pets makes her unique. Mimi also wants to thank Dr. Pointer for introducing her to the great angels at Frankie's:  Dr. Timothy A. Rocha, thank you for your support; Bonita S. Voiland, Director, her love and interaction with us was above and beyond; Dr. Andrew E. Kyles, he is the greatest.  Nurse Alba, when she came in contact with Mimi, it was a special moment.  We want to thank Dr. Michael Rickwald and nursing manager Steve Baker.

A big hug to Dr. Varis and the great angels at Frankie's Friends from us, especially from Mimi.  Keep up the good work.

Sincerely, Israel Rodriguez and family

Duff: A Great Mouser & Friend

You can't know what it means to me that you have provided financial support for Duff's medical treatments. I live alone and it is so tough to do that in New York, without someone to share the financial burdens in a city where prices rise before your eyes. I have had several cats in my life, but never before a cat with cancer.  My first cat, Kudah, died of kidney failure; my next two cats, Dijie and Busby, both had diabetes, which I was unable to control, and they succumbed to it.

Bunji had a heart attack when he was only 4 years old.  I feel my heart is regularly broken when I lose one of these beloved family members.

Duff was adopted from the Center for Animal Control in 1997 when he was about five months old.  He has been the most remarkable, sweet, affectionate, soft, funny, intelligent cat.  I have been able to walk him on a leash and for many years he went to Central Park on weekends.  He is a great hunter and has 24 confirmed kills of mice.  This is a photo of Duff in Central Park at 86th Street.  He would stretch out on these rocks and keep an eye on the wall of an old maintenance building; this wall was made up of rocks and within the rocks lived rats, which Duff would from time to time dart across to hunt.  He never got a rat, thank God, but he enjoyed the hunt.

He developed a thyroid condition more than two years ago.  I have a travel phobia, so I use a house-call vet, and the first vet I tried was unable to hit upon the correct dosage of methimazole for an entire year.  I eventually gave up on him and located Dr. Cindy Bressler, who has been very caring and understanding about treating Duff without terrorizing him.  It was Cindy who arranged for his surgery at Animal General, and who put me in touch with Dr. Oberthaler.

Duff and his sister, Lu, are my entire family.  So many people have said to me that I am foolish to spend money to save his life, but I can't bear to think that he will not be in my arms when I go to bed.  He's so important to me.

A thank-you note seems such an inadequate response to this generosity.  But it is extremely heartfelt, and I cannot say how much I appreciate this.

God bless you!

Judy Harris

Duff has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Extra Time Spent With Fleur

When I brought in my cat Fleur to NYC Veterinary Specialists, she had been diagnosed with a mass in her abdomen. I was advised by Dr. Rocha that the only way to ascertain the kind of cancer she had was to perform exploratory surgery. I was devastated by her illness. She is my best friend and has given me the kind of love and support during hard times that only pets can provide. I knew immediately that I would never be able to finance the surgery. I have had two hip replacements in the last two years, and my income as a decorative artist has been dramatically reduced because of my physical impediment and the recession.

It was at that moment of total helplessness and despair that Bonni Voiland told me about the Zeus Varis fund. The assistance allowed Fleur to have the operation, and although her cancer was not able to be fully excised, she will now at least have the appropriate treatment to make the last part of her life as comfortable as possible. There are really no words to thank you, Dr. Varis. Fleur is sitting next to me, and we are both so grateful to you and Zeus and the staff at NYC Veterinary Specialists.

Our very best regards and thanks for your generosity, Vesna and Fleur Bricelj

Fleur was diagnosed with an abdominal sclerosing mast cell tumor, a tumor found uniquely in the intestines of cats. She received palliative treatment until crossing the Rainbow Bridge.

Ice Melts Hearts & Gets Chemo

My name is Carlos Robinson and I am the proud parent of a pit-bull named Ice. Ice came into my life over  eight months ago after being taken from another home and placed at a dog pound. After being there for a week, I found out through my sister that he would be put to sleep unless he was adopted immediately. I felt as though it was only right for me to adopt Ice and give him a chance to live. Ice walked into my home and I knew he was the dog for me. He was so filled with love and energy and he was everything I have always wanted in a dog. In November, I noticed Ice was losing his appetite and was wanted to be left alone all the time, this was very unusual,  so I took him to the doctor. I was told that Ice had cancer, specifically T cell lymphoma, and that he was going to need chemotherapy. It was then that I was introduced to Dr. Karen Oberthaler at NYC Veterinary Specialists, who has been treating Ice since he began his treatment.

I  am very grateful for Dr. Oberthaler's care toward Ice, and would also like to thank Dr. Agnes Varis for making Ice's treatment possible and for saving his life. My family and I are very grateful for your support and the dedication you have towards animals.  May God bless you and all the staff at NYC Veterinary Specialists.

Biscuit Gets a New Leash on Life

My baby, Biscuit, was diagnosed with Lymphoma last summer and it truly broke my heart. Although I am a technician at NYC Veterinary Specialists and see these cases pretty often,  I was devastated! You never realize or sympathize completely until you go through it yourself. Thanks to this fund, I am receiving much needed help. Even as an employee, I was having some difficulty covering the finances of his treatment and I wanted to do what’s best for him. It means so much to Biscuit and me that this fund has provided an opportunity for him to have a chance to overcome this obstacle. Thanks again!!!

Charlene

Grolsch is Definitely Not a Grouch

It was April of 2000 when a three-week old puppy was left in a box in front of a veterinary clinic in Puerto Rico. The puppy had a one inch wound on his neck, but was otherwise in good condition. My sister who worked at the clinic brought him home to continue his care, since he was so young.  When I saw him, it was love at first site! From that moment forward I helped in his care, my sister would take him to work with her during daytime and I would take care of him during night time. After a couple of weeks, his wound healed and he was eating dry food all by himself! At that time we had two more dogs in the house and a third one was just more than we could handle, so we decided to find him a good adoption home. I was sad to see him go but comforted by thinking that he would have a good family looking out for him.

Two days later my sister came home along with the puppy, unfortunately his adoptive parents' other dog did not get along with the new puppy and attacked him.  The owners thought it was best if we could find him another home.

When I saw him again, I knew I was not going to be able to let him go for a second time  and named him Grolsch! Luckily, our other dogs accepted him and he immediately bonded with his sister Baileys and cousin Suzanne.

We've become inseparable and I take him with me to almost every place I go.  He sleeps in my bed, has lots of toys, a balanced diet, a minimum of 2 veterinary visits a year and a lot of love. He loves playing with tennis balls, car rides, runs in the dog park, playing with his sister and exercising with me while I’m walking, roller-blading or cycling. He’s very active, happy, friendly, smart and has a big love for life. We moved to Florida in 2003 and later that year his cousin Suzanne passed away.

On February 12, 2010, I received the worst news of my life when he was diagnosed with Canine Lymphoma. I was told that without treatment, he could live two or maybe three months at the most. The other option was chemotherapy. He’s not ready and I’m not ready to let my baby go, not without a fight but I wanted to make sure that he was not suffering and could continue living his happy and active life.

Grolsch deserved a chance, so I decided to meet with an oncologist at Florida Veterinary Specialist, Stacy Santoro, DVM. She was very knowledgeable and explained lymphoma and all the treatment options available. She was also very warm and caring to my dog's needs, that’s a great combination and makes her an excellent caretaker.

I learned that lymphoma is a very aggressive cancer but is also very treatable, even if it doesn’t have a cure; an aggressive treatment could give Grolsch more than just two months of good quality life with minimum side effects. So chemotherapy became the best option but was also extremely expensive. When I expressed my concern about the costs in my current financial situation, she referred me to Frankie’s Friends.

I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in April 13, 2006,  and after surgery was cancer-free for two years.  Since I am a cancer survivor, I know how difficult is to learn to live with this condition and to fight it everyday. Grolsch and I are best friends and now we are closer than ever and will fight cancer together, another bonding experience for us.

Thanks to Dr. Santoro I had the opportunity to learn about Frankie’s Friends and their mission. On February 18, 2010, I spoke with Bonni,  who told me that the Cure Canine Lymphoma project of Frankie's Friends will be able to help me pay for Grolsch's care. This news brightened our lives!!! Knowing that I am going to be able to provide my best friend the treatment he deserves, is the light at the end of the tunnel. What a great feeling!!! It would have been impossible for me to afford the treatment without Frankie’s Friends'  support. Thanks to Frankie’s Friends, Grolsch has a chance!!!

Thank You Frankie’s Friends, thank you very much.

Read Gem's Incredible Story

The Sunday before Thanksgiving, Gem’s 29-year-old owner died of a bacterial infection. His neighbor and friend, Lauren Glick, took in Gem (right), who is a long-time pal of Lauren’s dog, Tiggie (left). But now this family formed from tragedy has a new ordeal to overcome: Gem was just diagnosed with lymphoma. Read the full, heart-warming story in the 12/27/2009 NY Post. Frankie’s Friends’ Cure Canine Lymphoma project and the Zeus Varis Fund are joining with NY Post readers to pay for Gem’s cancer treatment.  To help with the cost of treatment for Gem, please write in the donation form, “For Gem” or “For Gem or for the next pet in need.” Like all gifts to Franki'es Friends, your gift will be tax deductible.

Thank you … and a very happy, pet-healthy new year!