Meet the Dogs & Cats
The Dog & Cat Cancer Fund has helped the following animals get the cancer treatment they need.
Skibu is being treated at the Veterinary Cancer Group of Los Angeles and her story is best told by her owner Shaun.
Dear Chris Meiering and the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund:
I’m writing you today to tell you how much your contribution to Skibu’s cancer treatment means to me. Skibu is my family. The day I took her home was the biggest blessing I’ve ever had. I didn’t know it then, but for the 9 years I’ve had her, Skibu has been THE most important and loving part of my life. I call her Skibu—short for Skinny Buddha—because Skibu is a living example of forgiveness, pure love and joy. She is always happy and unconditionally loving. Just by looking at her, I am reminded every day that there is pure love in this world and that animals are very gentle beings that deserve our love, care and guardianship in return.
Thank you for helping me to save Skibu’s precious life. Your action to help has inspired others to help me as well. Your help inspired my Dad to match the funds you sent me. Prior to your funding the people I contacted were concerned or unwilling to contribute any money to help save Skibu because they feared the treatment costs were too high for me to ever reach. They were afraid their small amount wouldn’t be enough and feared no one else would help. Thank you so much for being a catalyst of giving!!! Since your pledge, I have received additional donations in increments ranging from $5.00 up to $500.00 and have raised nearly half of the treatment costs for the radiation Skibu needs. I am very grateful.
This experience has opened my eyes. I now know there are many animals and foundations in need. It has made me committed to advocacy for people with animals with cancer. It is my wish that one day we have enough resources available for those in need so NO ONE will ever be in the horrible position of facing the threat of euthanasia for their beloved animal companions because they aren’t able to pay for necessary veterinary care. I am hopeful for a future where all animals and animal guardians will have whatever they need to provide the best quality of life. Knowing your pet has a life threatening illness is bad enough, but realizing you are unable to help them because of money is a burden too great to carry. I can not thank you enough for your consideration and action to help me to save my beloved Skibu.
We appreciate your financial help and most of all, your open heart.
Kindest regards,
Shaun (and Skibu) Thompson
Los Angeles, California
Mushie is one tough cookie of a cat. Mushie was diagnosed with a very rare salivary gland adenocarcinoma. His owner, Haydee, is on fixed income and has made an extraordinary effort to get Mushie the treatment he needs. Haydee found Dr. Ned Williams who performed extensive surgery to remove the tumor and the lower half of Mushie's jaw. Wow! The good news is that after the successful surgery and follow up tests showed that the cancer had not spread, Mushie has a good prognosis.
Mushie was referred to Dr. Rosemarie Williams at The Sound Cat for follow up treatment. Because of your support, we will be able to donate $500.00 towards his care and will be able to help more cats and dogs suffering from cancer with your help.
Mushie is now home with us, and is recovering marvelously. This coming Wednesday will be his follow up. He is eating from his own mouth now. His eating is more sloppy as he does not have the right mandible, but he is determined to eat the food he drops. I also help him along with a spoon to pile the food in his bowl. He has difficulty in keeping some of the food in his mouth, but if he is hungry enough, he shovels it in. HE is quite a cat. His day is eating and socializing a bit with us then he goes back to his bed.
Again, Chris and your organization thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I shall keep you informed as soon as the surgeon gives the ok for Mushie's to start radiation with Dr. Williams. I am so glad we made the decision we made and fortunate to have some organizations like yours by our side.
Haydee & Mushie
Pinky is another dog that came to us from The Magic Bullet Fund. Pinky has a mast cell tumor on the inside of her leg that required surgery on September 19th. Pinky's surgery was performed by Dr. Mueller at VCA in West Los Angeles. Because of your support the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund was able to donate $500.00 towards Pinky's surgery. The good news is that follow up treatment isn't likely to be necessary. Below is Pinky's story from the MBF.
We're happy that Raina and Pinky found the MBF and that we were able to help!
Chubby is one of those rare cases in many ways. Chubby was found abandoned, rummaging through the garbage in rural Tennessee by Robyn. He had two giant tumors and was in dire need of help. Robyn finally coaxed him to go with her and she then sought the help of a friend who does rescue work in the area, Hollie.
Robyn and Hollie brought Chubby to Dr. Barry Fly of the Nolensville Veterinary Hospital in Nolensville, TN. Dr. Fly performed the critical surgery two remove the two tumors: one on his back weighed 4 pounds and was invasive while the other tumor weighed 6 pounds. Robyn then took Chubby home, renamed him Lance Armstrong because of his strong will and began nursing him back to health in anticipation of chemotherapy.
Initial tests to determine the type of cancer were inconclusive, so Dr. Fly enlisted the help of the University of Tennessee Veterinary Teaching Hospital who did more detailed analysis of the tumors. They found that the tumors were a rare, sexually transmitted form of cancer called round cell, transmissible venereal tumor. Despite their huge size, canine round cell tumors are good candidates for chemotherapy and given Chubby's estimated age of 3 years, we've got our fingers and paws crossed for a quick recovery.
Romeo is 4 year old, 7 pound Chihuahua with a mast cell tumor on his nose. Romeo is being treated by Dr. Villalobos in Woodland Hills, CA with intralesional chemotherapy and is doing well. Because of your contributions we were able to help Romeo and Leona. If you would like to help more dogs in the future, please consider making a donation directly to the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund. You can also pledge towards Romeo's continuing care at his MBF page.
The Magic Bullet Fund was looking for addition funds to Romeo's continuing treatment. The administrator of MBF just informed me the DCCF has pledged to finance 2 treatments for Romeo-this is greatly appreciated. I'm so happy that Romeo is receiving so much help. Thank you so very much for helping with the treatment needed.
My four year old rescue Chihuahua has Mast Cell tumor, a bump on the side of his nose so surgery was not an option. I am retired with not enough for myself, my sons helping me. I'm grateful to all the people who donated to Romeo’s recovery. I think they realize the important roll animals are in human’s lives and are sensitive to the animal’s communication and unconditional love.
Romeo is doing well and the tumor is just about gone. His next treatment is in one month, if all is alright, we'll go to two months and so on. Dr. Villalobos is a gifted veterinarian.
Thank you again for your thoughtful donation,
Leona, Romeo's Mom
Sebastian is a 10 year old Italian Greyhound suffering from Lymphoma. Sebastian's owner Sue is on a fixed income and found it increasingly difficult to cover his chemotherapy and related tests. Sue contacted The Magic Bullet Fund, who then contacted us to see if we could help. Our donors who have given in the past made it possible and we have allocated up too $500.00 towards his treatment. Fortunately, the DCCFund donation will likely cover his entire treatment. If you would like to help, please consider making a donation.
Just wanting to thank you and every one for helping Sebastian. So far it seems that the chemo is helping and hoping it will continue. We also wanted to say if I have not expressed it enough is that if everyone showed the respect and consideration for their animals we would not only have healthier animals, we would live in a world free of unwanted and abused animals. I am so happy to have Sebastian and her sister Angel in my life, for all they can show us is the Love and the respect they show us each and every day.
Thank you,
Sebastian & Sue
Journey is a 9-year old domestic short hair cat that was diagnosed in July 2008 with feline Small Cell Gastric Lymphoma. After surgery to remove the a portion of her intestine, the vets at South Towne Veterinary Hospital recommended oral chemotherapy. Journey's owner Nicole did all she could to pay for the surgery, but the continued cost of chemotherapy and the related checkups was going to be a huge burden on her limited income. Due to the generous support of our donors we were able to donate $500.00 towards Journey's chemotherapy.
It truly hurts to know that finances play a role in life and death. Without the donation from the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund Journey may have had only a month or two to live with just "comfort care" according to her veterinarian. Journey has met with a cancer specialist and will now be able to undergo chemotherapy. She has had a section of intestine removed and as long as she can tolerate the medications and chemo she is expected to live at least two years and maybe many more!!!! Thank you to all who have been able to donate to this phenomenal organization and for making it possible for Journey and I to have at least two more years together.
Truly Thankful,
Journey & Nicole
Sofie is a 9-year old Australian Shepherd that was diagnosed with canine fibrosarcoma in June, 2008. After surgery to remove the majority of the tumor, the vets at Northern California Veterinary Specialists recommended radiation therapy to ensure the best prognosis. Sofie's owner/guardian is on a fixed income and made every effort to pay for the cost of treatment, but the radiation costs became too much to bear on her limited income.
Sofie and I just wanted to say thank you for the generous donation you made to her oncologist for her radiation treatments. When she was diagnosed with Fibrosarcoma I was devastated. This beautiful dog is my life--we have survived a head-on car accident together--why should I lose her to cancer? How could I lose her to cancer? I began searching the internet for information and came across the DCCFund website. I held my breath and applied for funding. I received so much love and support from you all, I could not believe it, and the check for $500.00 paid for the next part of her radiation treatments. If not for you she might not have been able to continue fighting the awful beast called cancer.
Again, thank you and the donors... you are angels. We will fight with the knowledge that there is hope; there are angels among us. You have restored my faith in humanity.
Fondly,
Suzy & Sofie
Casey is a 6-year old Cocker Spaniel recently diagnosed with canine lymphoma. Casey is such a special dog that a veterinary assistant at Integrative Veterinary Oncology in Arizona was the the first to contact us about helping. Like many families these days, Casey's family was having trouble keeping up with their financial obligations when Casey's lymphoma was diagnosed.
We want to thank you for all you do for the DCC. If it wasn't for people like you then when times get tough like they are now our animals would suffer. Casey is one of our children. We always make arrangements for him to when we go anywhere. We know that it is not his time to go see heaven yet. We pray for him all the time and with God's help and grace we will make it past this journey.
Thanks again and God Bless You.
Sandi
