HAPPY TAILS OF PETS WE'VE HELPED
My family and I would like give a big thank you to you guys for all the help that were getting with our baby girl Latious. She was so down for a while due to trouble with her ears until we brought her to you guys. Within weeks she has made a complete circle of how she feels and her ears are so much better.
Clyde was diagnosed with thymoma and he went through a traumatic surgery that saved his life, but unfortunately broke my bank out completely. He received care at Blue Pearl in Tampa for almost 2 weeks after surgery. The prognosis was very bad to start off with but Clyde battled the odds (which at one point were less than 10%) and made it home.
Unfortunately for Clyde, his tumor was so invasive they were unable to remove it all. Chemo was the recommended treatment and the help I have had from Frankie's Friends has made it possible for Clyde to receive chemo. He is now 11 months post surgery and although so far the chemo hasn't managed to make him cancer free he is still enjoying life, which for Clyde means food and cuddles. We hope that with the new chemo protcol that we can at least keep him stable, and in our family for as long as he is comfortable.
Thank you so much for your help. I'm positive he wouldn't be here today without it.
Louisa Johnson
I would like to thank you for your assistance with our pet - Sammi (Samantha, Maltese). I don't think there is anything that I could ever write that could convey how much we appreciate what you did for our family.
While under the care of Dr. Yakubik, we had an impossible decision to make. Let Sammi have Emergency Surgery or let her be put down. As Dr. Yakubik explained our options, we just could not let Sammi pass away without trying to save her. The cost of the procedure and surgery were beyond what we were capable of paying but because of Frankie's Friends (and Dr. Yakubik), we did not have to make that horrible decision.
In the end, Sammi sadly passed away approximately 24 hours after surgery. Thank you so very much for her giving her the possible gift of life. We will never forget Frankie's Friends!
Sincerely,
Alan Weger Janice Appel
My name is Jane and my dog's name is Max. He is a German shorthair pointer, and I've had him since he was 8 weeks old. He turned 13 last January.
I am disabled and extremely poor. I have a severe allergy that makes it impossible for me to be around about 80% of humans, about 80% of the time. Most of my everyday life is pretty isolated from other human beings, but my dog Max is my constant companion. I have no husband or children, no siblings and other than my mother and her husband, Max is my only close family. Though not a certified service dog, Max's lifelong job has very much been to partner and companion me, a person who is almost completely unable to have regular social interaction with people, due to an illness. In March 2012 I noticed that Max, who has always been incredibly active and healthy, started to have difficulties with his back legs. People kept telling me this was just a sign of his aging but I felt sure it was more than that, so the vet ran tests and it turned out that he was suffering from severe hypercalcemia, brought on by a very large T shaped mass growing around his colon and urinary tract, and categorized as a cancer called anal-sac neoplasia. Knowing my precarious financial situation, the vet informed me that without treatment, I could keep him comfortable, but that deterioration would be quick, and within a month or two the mass would begin to impede his ability to eliminate and he would have to be put down or toxins would begin to infect his body.
I was devastated, especially as other than the cancer Max was still in undeniably perfect condition. I decided I could not let my financial limitations be the cause for my losing my best and most loyal friend. I consulted an oncologist, Dr Joshua Lachowicz, at Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners in NYC, who told me that anal-sac neoplasia was in fact highly treatable, but that the chemotherapy medication most effective was also very expensive. My mind was racing with how I might come up with cash: who could I borrow from? What could I sell? Dr. Lachowicz then told me about a foundation, which if we qualified could probably cover about 1/3 the total cost of care over the next 6 months, if I could come up with the rest. That fund was Frankie’s Friends. I agreed, and they stepped in immediately to begin covering the cost of care so that Max wouldn’t get any worse, and so I might have some time to raise the money needed for the rest of his care.
It all went beautifully and by the second week of Max's treatments he had regained his strength, and was no longer struggling with his hind legs. By the fourth week the mass had shrunk by nearly half its original size, and what had been solid mass was now primarily liquid. By the 6th week they were able to operate and remove what was left of the cancer.
None of this would have been possible without the help and support of Frankie’sFriends.
It is now been almost 18 months since Max’s original diagnosis, and there has still been no reoccurrence of the neoplasia, though in March of this year he was diagnosed with lymphoma.
We are treating it the best we can, though because Max seems to have a sensitivity to the chemotherapy drugs that ideally would put the lymphoma into ‘full remission’, we are only able to give him small/weak doses in order to maintain his status of ‘partial remission’. For the time being Max is in no pain, has lots of energy, and is currently in upstate NY, enjoying a dog's summer, doing all his favorite things.
I feel incredibly blessed that we are now in the midst of this second summer on borrowed time. My understanding is that the chemotherapy, the partial remission, will last until the day that it doesn’t, and from there things will likely move very fast.
Over the last 18 months, since being originally diagnosed with cancer, Max has perhaps had 2 or 3 weeks total where he struggled or was in pain in any way. Every other day has been happy and healthy and lived to the fullest.
I have accepted the reality that our time left together is likely not much longer, but have chosen to save my grief for when he is gone.
Having Max in my life has been the most precious gift. He has been with me almost every day of the last 13-1/2 years, and he is the relationship in my life that I feel most proud of and most loyal to, and when the time comes to say goodbye I will try my hardest to experience even the pain of letting him go as a gift; to have the honor of ushering out such a gentle and pure soul to whatever waits beyond will be an honor and a blessing.
I want to thank Frankie’s Friends.
I want to thank Frankie’s Friends for the gift of time. For the gift of jumping of porches. Of swimming in ponds and hunting frogs. For the gift of running in snow and lounging in grass. I want to thank Frankie’s Friends for snuggles and treats and pats on my head. I want to thank Frankie’s Friends for the gift of life.
When our veterinarian told us that the lumps on Parker’s neck could be an infection or lymphoma, my heart sank. I tried to stay positive and hope that it was only an infection. A few days later, we received a diagnosis of lymphoma and we were devastated. We’ve had Parker since he was 8 weeks old, and after 11 years of companionship, it felt impossible to imagine coming home from work and not seeing his face.
Thanks to your generosity and all the amazing people at Frankie’s Friends, we have more time to spend with Parker, time that we thought we wouldn’t have.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,
Emilia and family
P.S. Parker is doing great and responding well to the treatments!
Dear Zeus Varis Fund, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your organization is truly an angel of mercy. When I found my sweet Bubba was diagnosed with GI Lymphoma, I was heartbroken beyond compare. Bubs, a rescue pet from the ASPCA, has been with me since he was 9 months old. He has always been there to nuzzle and fawn over me. I knew treatment for the best prognosis would have been beyond my means.
Bubs has given me so much love and joy throughout my life, I wanted to give him the best care in return. Without your contribution, I would not have been able to provide the care he deserves. It means so much to me to have a chance to spend more precious time with my beloved Bubba.
Xoxoxoxoxoxo
Marcia and Bubba
I am deeply grateful for your financial support to help with treatment for my girl cat, Shusha. Shusha is a beloved pet of many years and I always told her I would take good care of her. Your financial support has enabled me to do so.
Shusha, her boy tabby and best friend, ‘Baby’ Jake, and I are all overwhelmed by your generosity and the generosity of Dr. Rocha and the Blue Pearl team. Per your letter I will pay my portion of the treatment and the Zeus Varis funding will only be used for cancer treatment. Lastly, it would be Shusha’s honor to be featured on your website.
It was terrible to have to go to a new veterinarian, an oncology specialist, and a new team, at the point when I learned my cat was diagnosed with cancer. I walked into Blue Pearl and the environment was clean and spacious, with big gorgeous pictures of dogs and cats on the wall, and Nicole at the front desk was a warm, welcoming and calming presence. Dr. Rocha was 
compassionate with Shusha and talked softly through my fear to make sure I understood where we were at in the assessment process. Dr. Rocha then called me at 7pm on July 3rd -before the holiday weekend - so I did not have to wait for the results, allowing me to make treatment decisions as fast as possible. Very soon after my first visit I felt like the front desk staff and the Radiation Technicians were like our old and trusted friends and like they treated Shusha as if she were part of their own family.
Going to a specialty vet daily with my cat has been a journey. It is sad for me to see all the other pets in distress; I have been so touched by the exceptional care and support of everyone at Blue Pearl. They seem to respect each pet as a unique being and treat each pet parent with gentle kindness. Shusha and I have been bonding - spending lots of time together getting coffee in the morning, riding the bus during the recent heat wave, occasionally taking a taxi when we are late. She has been in good spirits and is eating, playing and purring. We are almost half way through treatment and feeling hopeful.
On behalf of me, and my precious cats, thank you for your generous support,
Dana
UPDATE on BYRON!
“Mark and I continue to be grateful everyday for the compassionate care we received at BluePearl and the financial assistance we received from Frankie’s Friends. They went above and beyond to help save our dog, Byron. When Byron needed surgeries my husband and I had used every bit of our savings to save his life. Byron is living a happy and healthy life today – he lived to meet his siblings, the two boys we have since had. We can’t imagine life without him. Thank you for all the work you do!” — Byron’s Family
Dear Frankie's Friends, Words cannot express how very grateful we are to have received assistance in paying for Byron's hospital care. On the morning of May 21, Byron, our Doberman, awoke shaking and drooling excessively. Within 24 hours his fever had spiked to over 105 degrees and we were rushing him to our local veterinarian. Unable to make a diagnosis, we were referred to BluePearl Veterinary Partners specialty and emergency hospital in Tampa. From the moment we walked in the door, we were welcomed and assured that they would do everything possible to help our baby. After a harrowing recovery from pancreatitis, Byron continued to do poorly. Six weeks later, he was continuing to lose weight and was unable to keep either his medication or solid food down. We then learned he had an esophageal stricture.
Byron is very much the center of our family, and he knows it! My husband and I have not been blessed with children, so we have poured all of our love and attention into our four-legged adopted child. We have spent everything we have on Byron's care and will continue to do so. That being said, the gift from Frankie's Friends could not have gone to a more appreciative family. When we reached the very end of what we could afford, your gift gave us so much hope that we weren't in this fight alone. We will forever be grateful to the donors for making this program possible!
Most Sincerely,
Jennifer, Mark and Byron
Byron playing on the beach
Byron in the grass 2
Byron at the beach
My dog, Laila, was suddenly diagnosed with lymphoma at only 4-and-a-half years of age. She is a Hungarian Vizsla and she is like my child. I love her more than anything. I could not afford chemotherapy by myself. The financial assistance I received from Frankie's Friends saved her life! After 6 months of chemotherapy, she is now cancer free! Thank you Frankie's Friends. -Mark
“The whole Fauchet family of 15 children appreciate the kindness of Frankie’s Friends. We adopted Nova last fall to help us adjust to our new home in Nashville. He helped us laugh and is a friend to all. This spring Nova was chasing a squirrel and fell off a ledge. He needed a lot of surgery to repair his bone so he could run and play again. Thanks to Frankie’s Friends, he is healing and will be chasing balls for many years to come. (Thank goodness since the last adopted child just turned one year old!) BluePearl’s vets did a great job and we appreciate their skilled techniques and kindness.” | Melanie Fauchet
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.
-30-
| Date: July 11, 2013Contact: James P. Judge
Media & Public Relations ManagerFrankie’s Friends 813.549.7688, office james.judge@bluepearlvet.com |
Truffles, an active 1-year-old chocolate lab, never met a stuffed anything she didn’t love…to eat. Unfortunately, this insatiable appetite was almost the metro Atlanta canine’s undoing. When Truffles’ owner noticed she wasn’t playing or eating as usual, a visit to the veterinarian was in order. X-rays revealed something less than appetizing—an intestinal blockage caused by a foreign body, that if not removed could cause a rupture.
Unfortunately, the cost of prior medical issues left Truffles’ owner unable to afford the life-saving surgery the dog needed. Frankie’s Friends came to the rescue, making the procedure possible, unsticking Truffles from her predicament and returning her to her formerly frisky self.
“I’ve removed throw pillows and toys with stuffing,” says the dog’s mom. “And now we’re closer than ever. I thank Frankie’s Friends for this great gift.”
I want to take the time to thank you for listening to Hunter’s story and for helping us at a time when we need it the most. When Hunter was diagnosed with mammary cancer, I was devastated. The thought of potentially losing my best friend of 12 years truly frightened me. Will Hunter be okay? Is it worth proceeding with treatment? How will I be able to afford this? .
The silver lining in all of this was that her cancer was caught in its early stages; she had a fighting chance. Hearing about Frankie’s Friends and The Zeus Varis fund, and the amazing work they do for pets and their families, gave me hope. It wouldn’t be easy, but I knew things would get better.
Six weeks have passed since Hunter’s initial diagnosis. She has a ways to go in her chemo treatment but she is thriving! She has a positive prognosis and she’s still spry--not bad for a 12-year-old cat.
Hunter is very special to me. The fact that a part of the financial burden has been lifted means that I can be there for her at a time when she needs me the most. I cannot thank you enough for your generosity and assistance. Hunter thanks you as well!!
With Warm Regards,
Elena & Hunter
My family and I would like give a big 'thank you' for all the help that we’re getting with our baby girl, Latious. She was so down for a while but she has made a complete turn around now. Thank you.
When Skye was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma, I thought there was no hope. It's always been me, my son who is not well, our 15-year-old turtle, a beagle we rescued last year and of course, our dear Skye. Money will come but does not really stay that long. It's really very hard. Skye, our yellow lab, has been with us since she was 3 months old. She is now 6 years old. Every time we walk in our area, kids will wait for her just to say hi to her.
When she first went to Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners here in Queens, NY, to see Dr Joshua Lachowicz, he told me about Frankie's Friends. When I got approved for help, I was so happy... grateful... relieved! I think I have read that letter a million times, just to make sure I read it right. Prayers really do get answered. I never thought people like you still exist in this world. Thank you... Thank you... Thank you very much, from the bottom of our hearts.
Thank you, Zeus! Thank you, Frankie!
Please be well ...
Sincerely,
Marie and Skye (and our little family)
Words cannot express the gratitude I have for Frankie's Friends. My 6 1/2 year old cat, Beau Tux, required emergency surgery at Blue Pearl in Tampa. There was a strong possibility that he might not survive. Thanks for Dr. Michael Reems, Dr. John Gicking, Dr. Miryam Reems and the critical care staff at the hospital, Beau is finally home and on the road to recovery. He required a week's hospital stay, which included surgery, placement of a feeding tube, treatment for shock, a blood transfusion and numerous other treatments.
Sitting by and watching your pet struggle to survive is an awful experience. Worrying about the mounting medical costs adds additional pressure and stress to an already very emotional time. Frankie's Friends was there to help. They paid part of the cost of Beau's care. I'd never heard of Frankie's Friends before this, but I am now a huge supporter and will advocate for their cause to all who will listen.
Thank you to all who donate to Frankie's Friends. You make a world of difference to many pets and their owners.
Pam Cabibi
Dear Frankie's Friends, Thank you so much for being an amazing foundation for pets in need. My little buddy, Poco (12-years-old), developed sick sinus syndrome making it necessary for her to receive a pacemaker. Sick sinus syndrome affects the electrical impulses in the heart and was causing Poco's heart to slow down so much so that it was literally stopping for 10-second periods. Every time this happened, Poco would fall over, looking frightened, until her heart would start back up again. It was scary for her and stressful for me not knowing if one of these episodes would be too much for her.
When I found out Poco needed a pacemaker I had no idea how I was going to pay for such a serious operation. Then I found out about Frankie's Friends, who came to Poco's rescue and helped us get the care she desperately needed. I can't tell you how thankful I am for the kindness of your foundation. I know how many animals you've helped already and now you've made it possible for me to have my partner in crime around for, hopefully, years to come. If Poco could talk, I know she'd scream a big "Thank you!" to Frankie's Friends and your Eddie Fund!
Thank you soooooo much!
Kenny and Poco
Poco's care was funded by Frankie's Friends "Eddie Croman Fund" that assists pets with life-threatening heart or kidney conditions.
Barkley—a sweet pit bull—could be considered a lot of things: an attention hog, a love-bug, and now thanks to Frankie’s Friends, a spectacular success story. At 6 years old, Barkley became gravely ill, constantly thirsty and unable to greet his family at the door (a favorite pastime). After a considerable quest to find the root of his illness, Barkley was diagnosed with a rare but curable disorder: primary hyperparathyroidism. His family, however, had exhausted their resources in their search for a cure and couldn’t afford lifesaving surgery. With heavy hearts, they considered euthanasia rather than let their beloved pet suffer. Frankie’s Friends of Georgia stepped in and helped pay for the life-saving procedure. Barkley now has the chance to live a long and healthy life, and his joyful family has their pet back. Today, he’s “150% recovered,” and to everyone’s delight, again able to “give that loving greeting when we walk through the door.”
It’s Mother’s Day and it’s also Cookie Monster’s sixth anniversary as part of our family. It’s been three months since Cookie Monster was diagnosed with lymphoma and I thought her life was over. Instead, our sweet pug is chasing squirrels, barking at trucks, and enjoying the cool tranquil breeze that blows through her back yard.
Cookie Monster spent her first four years of life being leashed to a table and left to eat rocks for food. I remember her at age four, arriving at our door by surprise. I didn’t know what to make of the grumbling thing who came into our yard. But I soon learned.
We enjoyed six great years together when our little Monster began to faint each time she became excited. After many examinations and tests we learned that the pug’s flat face and tiny nose might have caused a breathing issue. It was then that a pre-surgical test revealed a radical change in her blood count. I was devastated to find that my little girl had cancer.
After having the cancerous tumor removed, I was out of funds and desperate. Without chemotherapy, Cookie Monster would perhaps have four months to live. I contacted every animal rescue organization to which I was a member, hoping for guidance in my time of need. Dr. Lachowicz of Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners suggested I contact Frankie’s Friends.
In less than two weeks after submitting an application for assistance through the Zeus Varis Fund at Frankie’s Friends, Cookie Monster was accepted to receive assistance. I don’t know if I cried more when I learned about the Zeus Varis Funds/Frankie’s Friends' act of kindness or when I learned about Cookie Monster’s diagnosis. I had never been given anything in my life.
Thank you for giving me hope, thank you for your swift life saving response, thank you for giving me time to accept the inevitable, thank you for showing my young daughter why you shouldn’t give up, thank you for reminding me that strangers can be better friends than friends, thank you for my Mother’s Day gift. Thank you.
Lynn Wilson & Family
Cookie Monster, the Pug
Our family greatly appreciates everyone's assistance with saving our cat's life. He was completely blocked and needed immediate treatment. Due to financial reasons I was unable to pay. I am a new single mother of 2 little girls and because of related complications I am also recently unemployed. Five years ago I rescued Crash from the street where someone had thrown him out their car window - hence his name "Crash." We needed Frankie's Friends' help to save him again. We are sincerely grateful. Following this incident we have donated approximately a month's worth of his dry and canned food to the local shelter and have been strictly feeding both our cats the prescription food in order to prevent another blockage.Sincerely, Tara, Jamie Lea, and Alyssa
