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.

More time with Mabel

"You have given me the great chance and opportunity for more quality time with (11-year-old) Mabel and for that, I am eternally grateful. Each day (she got stronger), each day I (was so) aware of the blessings we have received. With … admiration for all you do for the animals and their human partners, Sincerely, (Mabel’s human partner)"

Sonny: A Lifetime in 5 Months

I am grateful to have this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for you having afforded me the financial support for treating Sonny’s cancer.

(Five-month-old) Sonny had stopped eating and tumors were slowly growing in his shoulder areas and below the jawline.  The cancer treatments brought back his appetite and slowed the growing process of his tumors.

Sonny was a very exceptional cat that was highly social and perceived people's emotions. During Sonny's last month on a trip to a friend's house he spent the time gravitating towards a friend with breast cancer. His high energy and playfulness he displayed when healthy was also attempted when he was at his lowest level of health.  He continued to follow me throughout the apartment during my summer vacation.  He was a constant companion as I watched tv throughout the day and curled around my neck as I slept throughout the night.  He valiantly greeted me at the door, wagging his tail after I completed morning errands.

He became a showcase for the Frankie's Friends Foundation because of the many tourists and visitors that witnessed us interacting in Central Park.  Many people assumed that I was a cat trainer because of the way Sonny was following me throughout the park and how he responded to me calling him when he strayed from me. The visitors were told that Sonny was being treated by the Frankie's Friends Foundation and I told them they could donate to help benefit animals suffering from cancer. Sonny's last great memory for me was the group of 16 teenagers visiting the park and who each held Sonny individually saying how they each would like to take him home with them.

I want to thank you for extending Sonny's life with your cancer treatments.  Sonny truly taught me through his sufferings what unconditional love is.

Gable...as in Clark Gable

Gable was rescued from a highly abusive home in New York City by a loving human on September 7, 2001. Having endured cigarette burns on his head and an ingrown collar deeply embedded in his throat, Gable seemed to sense he was safe at last. Four days later, disaster struck NYC, and his human companion lost many friends. Gable sensed her sadness and comforted her “endlessly,” she said. “It was as if fate delivered him to me.”

Through the ensuing years, the ups and downs, and the addition of a canine sister who also had been brutally abused, Gable remained steady. A true family unit had formed.

But in April 2009, as his human rubbed his chest while she pondered the reason why Gable wasn’t able to keep up at the dog park any longer, she felt lumps. A frantic visit to the veterinarian returned a diagnosis of lymphoma. Enveloped in sadness and desperation, Gable’s human brought him to a specialty hospital and decided she would do whatever it took to get him the care he needed. There, she found hope. To pay for his chemotherapy, however, other household bills went unpaid. Then Frankie’s Friends stepped in. Gable’s family qualified for financial assistance from the Zeus Varis Fund.

Done with regular chemotherapy, Gable now receives regular check-ups.

And he remains an example for what early intervention can do for dogs diagnosed with lymphoma.

Dryfus, Miracle Dog

Fire raged through Jeannie’s home in Florida on June 30, 2009, destroying everything and trapping her Great Dane, Dryfus. Jeannie and her children escaped without harm, but Dryfus did not. He suffered lung damage from the smoke and second and third degree burns over nearly 40 percent of his body - wounds that are very hard to recover from.

Dryfus was revived at the scene by firefighters, then rushed to a specialty hospital called BluePearl. With constant attention from the veterinary team, Dryfus underwent the slow and painful process of recovery from his burns. Dryfus refused to give up. Twenty-six days after being admitted to the hospital, Dryfus went home. He continues to thrive today.

Frankie’s Friends, BluePearl Veterinary Partners and all of the veterinarians in charge of his case took care of Dryfus’ bill and made sure he was able to go home to his loving family.