Dearest Chris,

My name is Rhena and I am mommy to an eleven year old dog named Gizmo. Gizmo has been a member of our family for more than ten years. Gizmo means the world to my ten year old son Sam, my mother (a disabled senior), and of course her mom!

About one month ago we were told that Gizmo had bone cancer. She was limping and in a lot of pain. The vet recommended the arm that the cancer was in, her forearm, be amputated as soon as possible. We absolutely could not come close to affording this expense. We had no hope. Until we discovered The Magic Bullet Fund and Laurie Kaplan. She was able to use part of your donation to get the surgery Gizmo needed! It was not easy but we did it and could not have without YOU!!!

Gizmo came home from surgery today. She is tired BUT walking, eating, and loving life. From the deepest core of my heart, THANK YOU!!! I know there are many cases like mine, people feeling the deep despair associated with the inability to financially care for the animals they love. I am grateful to know there are people out there like you.

For restoring hope that our girl has a chance to experience more life we are sincerely grateful!

Sincerely,
Rhena, Sam, Naomi, Gizmo, and her brother J

Dear Chris and DCCFund,

Tokyo Pete and I want to thank you for all of your help. He is doing so much better since his sugery and is starting to get back to being himself again. He is my best friend and I can’t imagine life with out him. When I was living in Kansas 5 years ago, one of my friends worked for the local vetrinarian. One night I mentioned to him how I wished I had a little puppy friend. And days later he came over with Tokyo Pete. Tokyo was 4 weeks old and he could fit inside a bread pan he was so little. There was a large puppy breeder who lived there and one of the puppies in her litter (Tokyo) was born with both genders, so she had dropped him off at the vets to be uthinized. Thank god my friend thought of me to care for Tokyo because I couldn’t have asked for a better campanion. Later on Tokyo and I made the big drive back to New England to live with family. Where everyone fell deeply in love with him, just like me. He is one of the family and well loved, he has a sunny personality and loves meeting new people and other animals. Then this past year when I was giving him a scratch under his chin I noticed he had a bump on his chest, it didn’t feel normal and I called the vet immediatly. When he visited, the doctor said that it was most likely a cancerous tumor and did a biopsy. When we got the results back we were all devistated. My eye start to tear everytime I thought about how he was feeling, sleeping all day, not eating, crying. He was in so much pain and he needed to have surgery to remove the tumor. I was in between jobs and couldn’t support him the way I should. So I talked to my little sister who works at a local pet store and she suggested to get in touch with the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund. So I did, and I just can’t tell you enough how my heart swells with happiness being able to see Tokyo full of life and healthy from his surgery. Tokyo and I deeply appreciate all of your help. Your gracious donation has helped us get through this difficult time.

Thank You So Much!

Tokyo & Lillian

Dear DCCFund,

I wanted to thank the dog and cat cancer fund donors for donating $750 to Iggy’s cancer treatments. It is much appreciated and Iggy is grateful too. Iggy is my best friend and it means a lot to me that he is getting funding. I am hoping that these treatments are a success and that he can beat this nasal tumor like he beat the mast cell grade 3 one year prior.

Thank you so much one again.

Dustin

Dear Chris and the DCC Fund,

Thank you for your generous offer to help Daggit with her cancer treatment! It has been 3-months since Daggit was diagnosed. Through this journey, I’m constantly inspired and grateful for the generosity of spirit I’ve been fortunate to be part of It is because of the help of absolute strangers – fellow animal lovers – that I have been able to continue Daggit’s treatment.

When my girl was diagnosed, I had to put her expenses on my credit card and was approved for CareCredit. With a maxed out credit card and approaching my limit on CareCredit, I figured there had to be help out there for people like me – single and unemployed for almost a year. I feel so fortunate to have found the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund and that Daggit is receiving the financial help we need to continue her treatments. 



Daggit’s cancer journey has definitely served as a reminder, that no matter how trivial it may seem, please take your pups to the vet. And get pet insurance before it’s too late! I took Daggit to the vet for what I thought was a bee sting in her paw and it turned out to be cancer. You can never be too careful. We hope that early detection and taking action to amputate her toe helped save her. She is now on chemo and is doing very well. I just want to give her the best chance possible. 

Many thanks to the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund for the support and donations my girl has received. Your help is giving Daggit the chance she deserves.

Every dog deserves the chance to fight and to keep on living and loving unconditionally. I’m so grateful that Daggit chose me at that puppy rescue 9 years ago and I will do everything I can to see to it that she has many more years of playing ball and romping at the beach.

Thank you so much for your generous support,

Nicole & Daggit … and her brother Vegas

Hi Chris,

Thanks again for your considerations and support. Thanks for everything.

I’m grateful to DCC for it’s ambitions and grateful to be a beneficiary. Should you like more pictures or a bio on Moukie for your site, I’m happy to forward them.

Update: Just a note to say Moukie was released from BAVS and taken home tonight. Right now Moukie just seems mad this event was thrust on him…which I take as a good sign.

Many thanks!

Pepito

Thank you! More than I can possibly express, you and your donors have my sincere and undying gratitude.

Ottis did have his surgery. Angle Care in Carlsbad agreed to allow me 2 weeks to try to get any grants before they I have to pay in full. Several tumors were removed. Most were stage one but the large tumor was stage two. I hope that chemo is indicated because I absolutely will not be able to afford radiation.

I have attached some pictures of Ottis (to be honest we actually call him PugDog – Otis was the name were first used when we adopted him so it is on all his vet records but to us he is PugDog) I included pictures with PugDog’s pet cat Kiwi – PugDog found her abandoned in our yard near dead and only 4 weeks old. We rescued Pug and he rescued her.

Thank you again.

Julie Swigart

Dear Chris,

Thank you so much for helping fund Hunter’s Mast Cell Tumor surgery. I have never met so many caring people who know how important this member of our family is to us. Both your organization and the Magic Bullet Fund have, along with other great organizations, have given so generously to save our friend Hunter and you will never know how much that means to us. This is one of the greatest gifts you could ever give to a family.

Thank you so much!

Dona

Dearest Cat and Dog Cancer Fund,
I would sincerely like to thank all of your donors for their generosity. Without that generosity, Roxy and I would have certainly had a short, painful future together. Roxy is a 5 year old Catahoula Leopard Hound/Shar Pei mix; adopted from animal control when she was 5 months old. Her first year involved many eye surgeries, among other health issues. With Roxy constantly wearing an E-collar and even having to be caged for extended periods of time to keep weight off of her rear leg, that year was very rough on both of us. But Roxy is an amazing dog; no matter what hardships she encounters, she adapts and moves on. She is still the fastest dog chasing a tennis ball at the park and loves to go to the beach and swim. Roxy is such a happy dog, when she gets excited her entire body sways back and forth as she wags her tail.
To treat the cancer, the doctors said the surest way to get rid of it, was to amputate her 2nd and 3rd toes on her left paw. Even this morning, 18 hours after her surgery, the doctors said that they are amazed at how quickly she is using that foot. I anticipate Roxy being ready to go to the park far more quickly than I am as she recovers. This operation has given Roxy a whole new lease on life that I have each of you to thank for. I hate to even imagine what her future would have been like had we not been able to have this surgery done, and letting the cancer spread. I hope that she has many more fun years ahead of her now.
I am so very appreciative of those who donate to the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund. I hope that in the future, once I have graduated from UF and my daughter and I are more financially stable, I may able to donate back to this miracle organization. I am so excited to bring my sweet Roxy home today. Thank you all for making this life saving procedure possible for us, you will forever be in our hearts.

Sincerely,
Lauren Harvey and Roxy

Dearest Chris and all you big hearted contributors of the Cat and Dog Cancer Fund,

Petey and I say THANK YOU with all our hearts for the peace and relief you have given us in the extremely generous gift of the final $350 so he can have his tumor surgery!!! yeah! what a celebration day. I went through breast cancer myself 5 months ago and a mastectomy. So cancer hit close to home and i felt petey deserves a fight chance to live to. And because of you and your contributions and unselfish thinking; he will see another summer to swim and go for walks and play with his beloved brother Golly and I.

Petey is a very active dog who can’t sit still long and goes everywhere with me. He LOVES water and i took him to the ocean for the first time right after his needle biopsy showed cancer. He loved the ocean went running to it until he saw the big waves comming then ran back; like what the heck? the water is chasing me! lol He also notice the water tasted funny! lol! being used to fresh water! He also loves to wrestle with his brother Goilly an american bulldog. They lick each others faces and love each other a lot! petey loves all dogs and animals. I raise a clutch of baby cockatiel birds once a year or so and he holds them in his paws and guards them! he growls any thing that comes near. As they get older they look to him for food and scream up at him! I also am ill with Lupus erthematosis. He is always by my side.

So we are getting surgery scheduled soon and i can thank YOU for this chance to get that Cancer out.

May God bless you all in return…

Cassandra and Petey~

Dear Chris and the DCCFund,

Thank you, Chris and the Dog & Cat Cancer Fund , for your help. I also thank all of the wonderful people who donate to the Dog & Cat Cancer Fund. Without your donations, this wonderful fund wouldn’t be able to help Enu and the other dogs who need help.

My name is Cathy and I really appreciate all that you have done for Enu and myself. Enu is not just a dog or a pet to me. I think of him as a big part of my family. He’s more like a son to me. I had Enu since he was about 3 months old. I brought Enu home in July 2002 and. it was love at first sight. He was the best puppy that I could have ever asked for. He loves to go to the park and take walks with me. Enu is a very gentle, loving, and compassionate dog.
Enu wouldn’t hurt anyone. He runs and plays with my kitten. I just got her in June and Enu was extremely nice and playful towards her. They eat and drink out of Enu’s bowls. He never shows his teeth to her or even growls at her. The kitten sleeps on his dog bed with him and he never minds her there.

When I found out that Enu had cancer in July 2009, I was devastated. I prayed for a solution to occur for Enu’s situation. That is when I found the Magic Bullet Fund, and applied for help. MBF agreed to help us and also reached out to DCCF and other organizations in order to pull together all the help that was needed for Enu.
Enu is getting better everyday and that is because of the kindness and generosity of MBFand DCCF. I don’t know where I would be without you. Thank you for everything.

Sincerely,

Cathy & Enu

Chris.

This is great news! I can not thank you and your organization enough for your support. I need to raise the rest of the money which may take 2-3 more weeks. I will call “Oreo’s” oncologist at Davis today to give him the news.

Thanks, Michelle

Dear Chris,

Adam is a 9 yr. old boxer mix – brindle. He looks fearsome but is a real sweetheart. Years ago when I brought in a little 2 mo. old puppy, he appointed himself her guardian & would stand between her & whoever he thought was playing too roughly with her.

He is doing well right now but I know what hemagiosarcoma can do. The best scenario would be that there was no metastasis & that we caught it in time; the worst scenario would be that I have some good quality & quanity bonus time with him. Right now, 4 weeks after surgery, he is acting like a puppy again. I guess that tumor was really dragging him down because now he is eating everything in sight & isbright & happy. Now he, & I, have something else to be grateful for because of your generous donation to help us pay the bill!

Thank-you again.

Adam & Geri

Hello, my name is Robyn, I am a waitress in Nashville, TN. One night this past summer I came across a dog digging through a garbage dumpster, from a distance I it looked like a nursing female, I was concerned, with the extreme heat that she may have puppies. I did a u-turn and followed “her”, the dog was quite elusive. Finally, I had it cornered near the Dollar General ice machine. When I go closer, I was startled to see that it was not a nursing female, but a male with a massive tumor on his genitals. I was stunned. The huge tumor was oozing blood and the poor dog was obviously in a great deal of discomfort. I quickly drove to my house for food, and called my friend Hollie who rescues dogs, she told me I must be exaggerating in 20 years of rescuing she had never heard of such a thing. She said to try to catch him. I return with food to the spot where I last saw him, he was gone. I looked for him every night when I got off work, it was 4 days before I would see him again. I was prepared this time. I had been collecting leftover steak, salmon & chicken from the restaurant, keeping in the car in a cooler in hopes out paths would cross again. There he was, at first he turned away, I just sat on the bumper of my car tossing the treats to him, he growled and paced stopping frequently to gobble the morsels I was tossing to him. He ate ravinously, I could tell he was starving, I could count his ribs even from a distance. For an hour I sat there till to 2 am, until all the food was gone. It was until I saw him again, the same routine, this went one for over a month, I would see him every few days, always in the wee hours of the morning. Then suddenly one night there he was asleep on the median strip on a four lane highway. I slowly approached, he barely lifted his head, I tossed him some fish, this time he didn’t growl. He sat up slightly to eat then put his head back down. I laid on my stomach and inched my way closer, talking to him the entire time. Gradually he let me touch him between bites. Tonight was different it was if he saying okay, now, is the time. I am ready for your help now. I slowly slipped a leash around his neck and crawled on my stomach backwards towards the van, he could hardly walk, the tumor was swinging between his legs and there was lots of blood. I was worried he was going to die right there, he was very weak. It took about 30 minutes for me to inch him to the back of the van. I had not a clue how I was going to get him in there. To my surprise, he put both paws on the bumper and tried to lift himself up, but the tumor banged against the bumper and he fell back to the ground. I consoled him for a few minutes and coaxed him to give it another try. This time, just as he went to jump, I grab the fur above his tail and lifted his back end in. He laid right down on the blanket and proceeded to groom his tumor. I called Hollie, it was 3 am, she could not believe I had him. I rushed home with him, I was not prepared for a dog so I placed him in the barn for the night. Gave him plenty of blankets, food and water. There was blood all over the back of the van, so I wasn’t sure how to handle him in the house. The next day I came up with a plan, I wrapped my mattress in garbage bags, the took some puppy training pads that I had on hand and taped them around him like a diaper. He moved into my bedroom. It was amazing, he constantly cleaned himself. He would only sleep for a few minutes at a time, then clean himself again. Hollie told me that it was instinct, he had to keep cleaning the blood away to protect himself from attracting predators. Once he had the diaper on, he stopped doing that and finally he slept for like 2 hours, he seemed so exhausted.
On day three, we had our appointment with Dr. Barry Fly, Hollie said he is the only vet she would ever trust to handle a situation like this. Hollie prepared me, though, she said there was very good chance that Dr. Fly would say the best thing for him would be to put him to sleep. I had 2 days to think about it, and at least if that was the outcome he wouldn’t be suffering on the streets anymore and for at least two nights he knew love and comfort. We decided to call him Lance after Lance “Chubby” Armstrong. Dr. Fly was quite surprised, this was a first for him. No one had ever seen a tumor so massive in the location before. He wanted to run some tests, to see if it was cancer and to see if any of his organs had been effected. To everyones amazement, his organs were fine. Dr. Fly guessed his age to be about 3 yrs, and he felt confident that he could remove the tumor, additionally he pointed out a 2nd tumor on his side that seemed to be a different type of mass that should be removed as well.
When the pathology report came back, Dr. Fly informed us, that it was operable, and possible treatable depending on the type of cancer. He would not know until the biopsy came back. Then the really bad news came, the surgery was going to cost thousands of dollars. I was devastated, how was I going to pay for that, we began racking our brains. Then one day, I was my friends boarding facility, they were telling me about the Zuke’s brand dog food, so we looked it up online. We found a link to the DOG & CAT CANCER FUND, I called Hollie, I said lets contact them. We sent out a plea on Craigslist as well. The donations started coming in. After 3 weeks, we raised enough to pay for at least half of the surgery, so Dr. Fly graciously agreed to due the surgery while we continued to raise funds. The Surgery complete, “Chubby” no we waited to see if he was a candidate for chemo and radiation, and he was a perfect candidate for chemo.

Chris Meiering @DCCF kept in touch with us throughout the entire process, when we got the news, that chemo was a possibility, DCCF stepped up to help cover the cost. With the chemo, we were looking at another $1000.00, I was devastated, but DCCF put my mind at ease, because we could start chemo and their donation bought us time to raise the rest of the funds.

“Chubby’s” first round of chemo did not go very well, got extremely ill. He stopped eating, he lost 10 lbs. in one week. We had to postpone any further treatments until he regained his strength. I was freaking out. Chris was extremely reassuring, that once “Chubby’s” strength was back, he would be okay to start chemo again. After an extremely long recovery, we once again began chemo in November 2008. “Chubby” did great, every Monday for 5 weeks we would drive over an hour each way to & from therapy. DCCF was there the entire time, helping to keep the bill paid so the the treatments could continue.

Lance “Chubby” Johnson, is now a pillar of health. He acts as if he had never met a stranger. He is such a house dog, he prefers the safety of the house, outside reminds him of his life on the street. He goes out long enough to do h is business and take a sunbathe, but for the most part, he prefers to be by my side. He is famous in East Nashville, everyone knows his story, neighbors & donors often stop by to check on him. He always greets everyone with a wagging tail and a big huge smile.

Attached are photos of “chubby” take last Sunday, doesn’t he look fantastic?

Thanks You so Much for your moral and financial support in helping save Lance “Chubby” Armstrong, the world is a much better place with him in it. I can not begin to thank the AMAZING Dr. Barry Fly and his staff for all they have done. Also, Luvie’s Legacy and the Dog & Cat Cancer Fund, plus the many other private donors that helped us get “Chubby” to where he is today.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all.

Robyn Jayne Guidara

Otis’s Story:
Otis is a 6 1/2 year old male fawn pug. I adopted Otis about 2 years ago from a situation where he was used as a breeder, kept in a crate, and at times ignored/abused by his 2 previous owners. I am his 3rd home. When he came to me, he was not socialized with people or other animals. He was shy and scared and clearly emotionally scared from his upbringing. He still bears the physical scars of his abuse on his front legs.

If you’ve met Otis, you know how amazing he is. And, if you are familiar with the pug breed, you know how endearing these animals are. I can honestly say, this little “being” is more human than he is dog. Sharing my life with him for the past two years has had a profound effect on me like no other experience. I feel incredibly lucky to have such a sweet, affectionate, and loving being to share my life with. Otis truly is my family, and I love him more than words can say. I may have “rescued” this little guy from a bad home, but he is truly the one who rescued me. He has opened my heart tremendously. Now, I can’t imagine life without him.

Otis’s Diagnosis:
Our little Otis was diagnosed over the Christmas holiday with multiple Mast Cell Tumors. On December 29th, Otis has had surgery to remove the tumors..one large one on his head, and 6 other small ones on his body.

Our General Practice vet removed the tumor from on top of Otis’s head, and punch biopsied the other sites. With the diagnosis of so many MCT, the vet referred me to an oncologist to work with Otis.

After meeting with the oncologist and board certified surgeon, we discovered that Otis had 3 additional tumors not found on his original exam by the first GP vet. We were also told that the first vet didn’t remove enough tissue around the tumors on his head and neck. Lastly, we also learned that the other tumors that were punch biopsied should have just been needle aspirated to confirm they were MCT and then removed.

We were counseled that Otis would need a 2nd surgery to remove more skin from all the previous tumor sites, and to remove the 3 new tumors as well. It was explained to us that when going in to remove additional tissue from a previous incision, the surgery is much more extensive. This results in the dog ending up with a much larger incision & scar that he would have had if the tumor would have been completely excised the first time around.

For Otis, this meant removing more tissue around his ear and neck tumors, as well as the other tumors on his body. Because of the location of the tumor on his head, this meant Otis’ would loose a large portion of the skin on his head. His left ear would now be up (instead of laying flat) and now located 1″ behind his right ear. And, due to how they need to stitch him up, he now has excess flaps of skin (called “dog ears” due to their triangular shape) at both ends of each incision. We were told that they needed to suture him this way, otherwise if they went for a “cosmetic suture” his incision would have been much longer. For Otis, this now means a large lump on the top of his head, and a large triangle flap of skin that sticks out on the side of his neck. We now call him, “Franken-Pug”. Even with his disfigurement, we still love him with all of our hearts.

During his 2nd surgery, his temperature fell dangerously low. Normally, they put warming blankets on the dogs, but because Otis had so many different areas that needed to be excised, he was not able to have one. So, the surgery had to end before the surgeon was finished. We were then told that Otis will need a 3rd surgery in about 2-4weeks to remove the remaining 3 tumors.

When we picked Otis up from the hospital, he was not well. Unlike his other surgeries (first MCT, neutering, soft palate, etc), Otis was very weak and very anxious. For the first 2 days, Otis just cried, grunted, and whimpered. I gave him round the clock care, never leaving his side for a moment. He wouldn’t eat, drink or use the bathroom. He couldn’t walk, and due to so many incisions in different sites, could not lay down comfortably. Otis truly was miserable.

We decided to wait one month before scheduling Otis’s 3rd surgery, to give him some time to recover. When we took him in for his last surgery, they shaved him in preparation for the operation. Upon doing so, they found 9 additional tumors that were missed on the physical exam. Upon aspiration, they were confirmed as Mast Cell Tumors.

At this point, the surgeon decided not to operate. The oncologist was called in, and Otis is now being prepared for a course of chemotherapy.

Since his last surgery, Otis has not quite recovered. He used to be such a happy and energetic pug, but now, he tires very easily, and is very anxious. It saddens me to see him this way.

Due to Otis’s young age, and the fact that he had so many MCT appear in such a short time, I’ve been told it is likely he will develop more in the future. So, just like with humans with lots of moles who have to watch out for skin cancer, Otis will have to be closely monitored for the rest of his life.

My Financial Challenges:
So far, Otis has had 3 sets of diagnostics and 2 surgeries, totaling $7,600. I had applied to many organizations for financial assistance, but did not qualify. The reasons I received were because I am not elderly, I am not unemployed, I don’t live in certain states of the US, because I am not a non-profit, or because my dog is not expected to die in 5 days without treatment. I also applied to the CARE Credit card, but was also denied.

In desperation, I tried to open another credit card, but was denied. And, the card I’ve had for over 15 years just sent me a letter decreasing my limit from $40,000 to now just $7,000. I emailed 120 people I know and asked them to donate to help Otis, and have raised about $900. To help cover the vet bills, I’ve also sold most of my non-work related valuable belongings.

I can’t thank your organization enough for providing me financial assistance to help with Otis’s cancer care. Your contribution will really help. THANK YOU.

If you are reading this, and are an animal lover, pug owner, or just someone with a big heart and an ability to help, please consider contributing to Otis’s care.

Thank you for taking the time to read Otis’s story. And, thank you for ANY donation you might be able to make to his care.

Dear Chris,

I just received notice that your group have agreed to pay $350.00 towards my BIG Boy’s cancer treatment. I am so grateful. It has been a hard time trying to find the funds to save his life. I’m planing to take him in on Thursday for his first treatment. Like all good parents (or in my case-grandparent) hope to see there grandchildren to live life to the fullest. I am looking forward to great results and a longer life for my grandson.

Again, Thank You for all that you and your group does. I promise to do my part.

Sincerely

Thea and BigBoy

Dear Chris and the DCCFund,

I want to thank all of the wonderful people who have donated to the DOG AND CAT CANCER FUND.

My name is Susan and I could tell you so much about my wonderful pet, BUT…I hope that my story will show you how you are helping PEOPLE and not just their pets!

In the fall of 2007 I lost my ability to work or function well due to complications from a spinal cord injury. So also I lost my career, my home, my vitality and my hope. I lost my human partner and my only child married and moved away. I was alone with “PENNY”, my 7 year old, 90 pound Doberman mix, whom I had adopted at 3 pounds.

It is now 16 months later and due to the backlog of disability cases, I live in a room with a yard and I struggle with pain, medical care, depression and mere survival.

With all that I had lost, PENNY was my comfort, my companion, AND the glue that kept me from falling completely apart and giving up. And she still is…because, instead of suffering organ failure and leaving me NOW (just 6 weeks after being diagnosed with lymphoma), she is in remission and Dr. McFadden and I can hope for more of her love, protection and goofy playful affection. And only because of wonderful people whose donations will enable me to continue treatment for continued remission, and with a quality life of acting and feeling fine!

How precious every extra day is to me and she keeps my spirits up. I thank you and may you be blessed for letting me keep her Goofy LOVE!

Sincerely

Susan P.

Dear Chris,

I want to thank you and The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund with all my heart for your help with Cleo’s surgery. She is home recovering smoothly and the prognosis looks great. The world is a much better place because of people like you.

Sincerely

Mary Ann and Cleo

Dear Chris and the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund:

Thank you so much for your generous donation to cover Gambit’s recent Chemo treatment. Gambit was diagnosed with lymphoma in late September and the following week I was laid off from my job. I had raised a good $1,500 from friends and family before I approached your fund. Each week, after my family and friends money ran out, I have had to ask for assistance. The Dog and Cat Cancer Fund came through, and now Gambit is doing better than ever! Due to your assistance, Gambit is in the next stage of treatment–something I couldn’t have dreamed of two months ago! I am so grateful for both DCCF financial assistance, and your personal phone calls and kind touch, Chris. Please tell all the folks at DCCF we are very grateful for their generous donation–and for all the folks who contribute to DCCF, they are angels to us!:) DCCF got us to the next step of Gambit’s treatment which would not have happened without DCCF. We have bought more Zuke’s treats than ever, and have encouraged all our dog friends at Ohlone Dog Park in Berkeley, CA to do the same:)

Thanks so much for your kindness and gift.

Eileen and Gambit

Hi my name is Raina. I am blessed to have a rambunctious 7 year old name Pinky! I have had Pinky ever since she was 6 months old. As a puppy, Pinky was a very special child J . She has to sleep on a large dog pillow or else she won’t go to sleep. If she wants your attentions, especially if I’m on the computer, she nudges my hand and licks my arm. Pinky’s favorite game is what I like to call “get your baby”. This is when we play catch with an old ratty red stuffed animal bear. She absolutely loves that bear. Pinky is full of energy. The saying, “you can’t teach a dog old tricks” is so wrong. Just this month Pinky swam in a 10 feet lake for the first time in her entire life and she learned to fetch her leash and collar when I tell her that its time for a walk. We have been having such a great summer and then we found out the news…who would have thought a small lump on her hind leg would turn out to be a mast cell tumor. At a routine annual appointment in July my vet noticed the lump and suggested a biopsy. When the results came in I was devastated. I consulted with a board certified surgeon and they suggest surgery as soon as possible to prevent any spreading. They are planning on essentially do a skin graph from her abdominal region to replace the cancer area. First of all, I just couldn’t believe that something so small could be such a big deal. Secondly, how in the world am I going to be able to afford surgery? I was talking to my co-workers and some of then bluntly told me to just put her down. I couldn’t even fathom the thought! My Pinky is my child. I would just have to figure out a way. So for the last month I have begged and borrowed and I have been able to come up with $500. I have not been able to schedule the surgery yet because the vet requires up front payment. Thank goodness I found this organization.

Dear Dog & Cat Cancer Fund,

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

Dear Chris and the DCCFund,

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

Dear Dog and Cat Cancer Fund,

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

Dear Chris,

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