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.
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Happy Tails of Pets We've Helped
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
Words could not express my gratitude for the grant that Frankie’s Friends awarded us for the treatment of my best friend’s lymphoma. My best friend is named Tuwa. She is an 8-year-old lab mix I adopted from the ASPCA when she was only 3 months old. Tuwa is more than a dog to me she is my constant companion. I have not been able to work the last 8 years so we have spent a lot of time together. Tuwa is my family. I was devastated and heartbroken when her doctor gave me her lymphoma diagnosis and a prognosis of 3 to 4 weeks to live. I was panic stricken and hit the internet, looking for a miracle cure and the only thing I found to beat back this type of cancer was chemotherapy. I needed Tuwa to have more time – maybe, even remission. None of that would have been possible without the grant that Frankie’s Friends Fund awarded us. With this grant Tuwa’s life will be prolonged and she has been given the chance she deserves. We both thank the fund and its members profusely for all the good work they do in helping the most vulnerable of human companions.
Sincerely,
Paula Rossi & Tuwa
I am greatly appreciative for the financial help you gave my family by providing treatment for our 3-month-old pit bull/beagle, Killah Lopez. I am also very thankful for the staff and veterinarians at BluePearl Veterinary Partners for helping us take care of our puppy.
Without them, who knows what would have happened. Our dog is always happy and playing with everyone. He has a great personality and again I want to thank you for the support you gave us.
I am sure our dog Killah is also thankful for the love and support you have given him. We promise to keep in touch with Frankie’s Friends charitable pet foundation.
Your foundation has made a very big difference to those who aren’t capable of the required funds and I’m sure many families have appreciated your foundation as much as we have. Thank you a million times more.
Sincerely,
Vasquez/Lopez family
We would like to thank Frankie's Friends foundation for helping save my little girl, Bear. Bear is a 3-year-old Jack Russell terrier. We have had Bear since she was about 6 weeks old. She is the most beautiful, loving girl with the biggest personality. She is like a daughter to us and we can't imagine being without her. Thank you so much for helping pay for her gastrointestinal surgery. She is feeling much better and is getting back to her larger than life personality. We are forever grateful and will never forget your wonderful foundation.
Thank you.
Kevin, Deokumarie, and Bear
Words cannot express the heartfelt gratitude, appreciation, and joy you have given us! Mitzi and I thank you so very much for your assistance and generosity. Thanking Frankie's Friends, BluePearl and Dr. Lachowicz for his excellent care, encouragement, and compassion as well.
Sincerely, Mitzi and Mommy (Stacey) xoxo
I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind and generous gift towards treatment for lymphoma for my cat Dunston. I was heartbroken when I found out his diagnosis, and extremely stressed since the treatment that offered the best prognosis was not within my means. I love Dunston so much; he's family to me, and I wanted to provide him with the best care available. Without your contribution I wouldn't have been able to consider optimal treatment as an option.
Best Regards,
Michele
Although Winston lost the battle with his lymphoma, the treatments helped for a while and gave us more time with him before we lost the battle. For that time we had, we will always be grateful for Frankie's Friends' assistance. We weren't aware that there was such a wonderful organization and we plan to tell everyone about Frankie's Friends and encourage support for it.
To all the donors to Frankie's Friends: thank you with all our hearts for helping us with funding to fight our Winston's lymphoma. Your kindness will never be forgotten!
- Larry and Connie
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
Frankie’s Friends, It’s hard to really express our appreciation for the assistance from this wonderful organization. Our cat, Layla, is an amazing gift, and we have been continuing to enjoy and love our time with her since the very second she was brought back home after foreign object surgery.
Since we took in Layla we noticed right away she had a destructive nature, much like that of a puppy. One of her usual routines is to drag her litter box, on its mat, right out of the bathroom in her mouth. We have already hidden half of the things in our home. The second we missed a neat new object on the ground she took advantage of the situation, which was the cause for her emergency surgery.
Despite her need to search and destroy, it is a riot to watch along with her many other unique qualities. One of the best qualities is that Layla has always been so loving. Not a lap cat, per say, but she certainly doesn’t lack expressing it in her own special way. Since the surgery her love for us has grown in new ways and we are so grateful that we get to experience that affection everyday.
Without Frankie’s Friends this horrible mistake could not have been reversed. We will be forever grateful for this opportunity, and have already begun to spread the word. We cannot wait to be able to give back to this amazing foundation.
We are true believers that pets are the most unconditional love you will ever get to experience, and because of Frankie’s Friends and the surgery Layla received, we get to experience that with her for many, many more years to come.
Deepest Gratitude,
Chelsey & Julian
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
Charlie is my 3-year-old English mastiff who had occasional seizures. We recently moved from Kentucky to Tampa. She seemed to be handling the move well until one morning around 5 a.m. She began to have a seizure that simply would not stop. She seized on and off for almost three hours before we could get her to BluePearl.
She weighs in at about 150lbs and we had moved into an apartment complex on the 3rd floor, so moving her was next to impossible.
Once at BluePearl, Dr. Shreve took wonderful care of her along with the other staff members.
We had only been in Florida for less than a week and I had not started working yet, so we were living on a very small budget, one that certainly did not allow for a pet emergency!
Dr. Shreve offered us some assistance through the hope fund. Two months later and Charlie is still seizure free and back to her old self again. I am so thankful for the great staff at BluePearl and the assistance we received through the Hope Fund. Thank you again for all that you do!!!
- Victoria
Frankie's Friends is amazing! My, thinks he is a black lab, Mexico Max from Chelem, Mexico (a Yucatan rescue dog), has a colorful past including two near misses with death! The grace of God saved him. Now he has been diagnosed, at the age of six, with multiple myeloma. The doctor, Joshua Lachowicz, a truly excellent oncologist with the BluePearl Veterinary Partners hospital in New York, is a kind and compassionate man.
He instantly took steps to put me in touch with Frankie's Friends. Within 24 hours you had checked my rapidly waning finances and granted him the financing to help get the treatment he needed.
I am a 72-year-old woman. I have had four surgeries for cancer this year and have been unable to work. I was despairing because I wanted Max to have the quality care I was receiving and you brought sunshine and hope to our lives!
What you have given us is the feeling that we can cope with this, that we are not alone and that there are people out there who truly care about animals (as well as their doting owners) and The Agnes Varis charitable fund has made that possible.
My incalculable gratitude, thanks and support for you will be there always. And Max --- he tells me he "got a scholarship to life!!
Sincerely yours,
Ellen and Max
Our family can’t begin to express our sincere gratitude to veterinarian oncologist Dr. Jen Coyle for the unexpected, but much appreciated gift she coordinated through Frankie’s Friends for our beloved four-legged canines Sassy and Bailey Martin. Receiving news from Dr. Coyle, that our sweet 5-year-old golden retriever, Bailey, was diagnosed with cancer, was devastating. After 14 months of intensive treatments, Bailey's progress was optimistic. Our joy turned quickly to sadness as our six year old black lab mix, Sassy, was also diagnosed with cancer.
Due to a corporate downsizing, our two-income household was decreased to a one-income household only. With this unexpected financial hardship, we spent many a sleepless night worrying how we’d be able to treat both Sassy and Bailey.
We didn’t have to worry for very long. Dr. Coyle let us know we were the recipients of the gift of Frankie’s Friends for both dogs. It was the best news we’d had in a very long time.
The level of professionalism given to Sassy and Bailey by the BluePearl staff in Tampa -- Jen, Jamie, Amy, Emily and Robert -- will never be forgotten. The care, love and devotion Courtney, Trish, Amy and Megan from Blue Pearl in Brandon gave Sassy and Bailey never went unnoticed.
Dr. Coyle’s dedication, optimism and warmth along with the unexpected gift she facilitated through Frankie’s Friends enabled Sassy and Bailey to receive the much needed extended treatments.
This unselfish gesture from all of the BluePearl staff afforded our family more time spent with Sassy and Bailey. And for that, our family will be forever grateful.
Karen & Larry
A champion snuggler, vocal “conversationalist” and little girl’s best friend, 9-year-old Maverick had already been granted a second-chance on life when the his family adopted him from a Georgia shelter in 2003. But by late 2012 his boundless energy had inexplicably begun to disappear, leaving owner Jennifer to wonder if Maverick was simply settling into old-age or if something more ominous was happening. Thanks to tests by the family's primary care vet and collaboration with Georgia Veterinary Specialists, the dog received a critically important diagnosis: complete heart block, a relatively rare condition that was preventing vital, beat-regulating signals from reaching Maverick’s heart, slowing it—and him—to a slug’s pace. A pacemaker would be the only remedy; without one, Maverick would likely have less than six months to live. With the device, he could enjoy a long, normal life.
The family was devastated but resigned to do anything needed to help their furry family member. Unfortunately layoffs and the financial strain of a new business had left the family without the resources to pay for the surgery their pet so desperately needed. Frankie’s Friends gave Maverick the chance he deserved. In partnership with GVS and thanks to donations, Maverick received a pacemaker. Maverick is now thriving, and Jennifer insists “he’s just like a puppy again.” GVS cardiologist Dr. Brandon Pogue adds “The ability of Frankie's Friends to provide funds to help Maverick and his family receive an ultimately life-saving therapy has been such a great experience.”
Maverick's family considers his recovery a gift, and that’s exactly what it is. The gift of life for dogs and cats with treatable illnesses but from loving families who cannot afford their care—a gift only you can make. Jennifer adds, “We are not ones to ask for charity or handouts. That is why we were so thankful to learn about Frankie’s Friends. Knowing that there was a way for us to save Maverick and take some of the financial burden off was a huge relief. I truly believe that what goes around comes around.”
Pets are all heart. In this case, it also took a few generous human ones to bring Maverick’s back to life. Can you be one of them for another pet and family in need? Make a donation to Frankie's Friends today and direct it to the Georgia Hope Fund to help more local pets like Maverick !