Frankie's Friends Helps Save Dog that Saved Owner

I wasn't sure I was ready to get another dog when I came upon my 9-month-old puppy, Baby. We had recently lost our beloved English mastiff, Oz, to osteosarcoma about 6 months prior. That was very hard for us. I rescued Baby from the Humane Society when he was just 3-months-old and fell in love with all 3 pounds of him! It was a big change going from the world's biggest dog in my 180 lb mastiff to the world's smallest at just 3 pounds.

I should really say that Baby rescued me. I was diagnosed with Lupus two months prior to finding Baby. With Lupus it's hard sometimes to just get out of bed and function. The pain and fatigue takes a toll on you physically, mentally and emotionally.

Having Baby in my life forced me to get up and get moving no matter how hard it was. I started taking Baby for walks and taking him to the dog park every Sunday morning no matter how bad I felt and over time I started to feel better. I looked forward to our Sundays at the dog park. I couldn't wait to come home to him after work and he was always happy to see me.

Baby goes everywhere with me that I can take him. He sleeps with me at night and when the alarm goes off, he comes right up to me and rolls over in my arms for cuddle time and belly rubs . It's the only thing about mornings I like. Baby follows me around everywhere, he never leaves my side.

One day, Baby just wasn't his energetic self, you could tell he didn't feel good and was vomiting. I took him to BluePearl around midnight one night and he had to stay over night. I got a call the next day that Baby had an obstruction and needed surgery right away. After the surgeon explained it to me and told me how much it would cost, I broke down.

I didn't have the money and had no idea how I would get it. I was over whelmed with grief and the feelings I had of losing Oz a year earlier.

I called friends, family, my credit card companies and there was just not enough funds to cover his surgery. I was pretty much inconsolable, time was critical to get Baby back into surgery. I had no other options. My puppy was going to die because I didn't have the money to save his life after he had brought so much into my life.

You couldn't imagine that feeling, that's when I was told about Frankie's Friends and how the remarkable doctors donated the rest of the money to save Baby's life. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe the generosity of strangers to help save my puppy. I am forever in their debt and will most definitely pay it forward in honor of Baby and Oz. Baby spent three nights in the hospital and had the best of care. He recovered quickly and is back to his playful, fun self.

I thank you Frankie's Friends and all the staff from the bottom of my heart for saving my Baby.

Forever in your debt,

Laura

Sadie May on the Road to Recovery Thanks to Frankie's Friends

Dear Frankie's Friends, In the beginning of January our precious English mastiff, Sadie May, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a very aggressive bone cancer. Our family was devastated. Our options were explained to us by the veterinarian, but unfortunately most were outside our financial capabilities, and that broke our hearts. Everyday became more of a struggle as Sadie's pain got increasingly worse. After talking to several different veterinary hospitals, we got a glimmer of hope from Michigan Veterinary Specialists in Grand Rapids, MI. They told us about Frankie's Friends and within 24 hours of hearing back from them Sadie was in surgery for amputation or her back leg, to remove her tumor and main source of pain.

I cannot begin to explain how blessed we feel to have received the support that we did from your foundation. Sadie is much more comfortable and noticeably happier and that means so much to us! We can't wait for her to recover so we can get back to the dog park and play with all her doggie friends. Without your generous help that may not have been possible.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

-Jake, Brianna & Sadie May