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Updates Posted --
Ari is truly a gift to everyone who meets him, but especially to us. Our 9 year old dachshund-yorkie mix (yes, the breed is called a “dorkie!”) has been the center of our world for 9 years, since we got him as a puppy. Ari puts a smile on everyone’s face that he’s ever met. When he trots out the door for his walk, strangers stop us every single day, asking if they can pet him; cars stop in the middle of the road and roll down the window to tell us how beautiful he is and how happy he looks.
You know how some people just have that “vibe,” exuding happiness and making everyone around them feel good? Ari is the furry four-legged version of that radiance.
Ari’s health issues began several months ago. The results of a blood panel at the vet in January 2016 showed that Ari had developed Cushings disease (details about Cushings are below) and high blood pressure. This brings its own list of treatments, medications and regular testing.
Then about a month ago, we brought Ari to the vet for what we thought was a checkup for a UTI. The vet ran her tests and told us that Ari needed to be hospitalized immediately, as he was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) (details below). He had become diabetic in the few weeks since his last checkup and no one knew. The diabetes and the DKA were caused by his Cushings. We rushed Ari to the hospital that afternoon.
Ari was kept in the emergency vet hospital overnight so the vets could aggressively treat his DKA; the vets told us that there was a very real chance that he may not pull through. We took Ari for what we thought might be the last walk we ever take him on. We kissed him good night as he cried for us not to leave him in the emergency vet kennel. And then we cried ourselves to exhaustion in the vet hospital parking lot, because we knew that Ari might die in the next 24 hours.
The following day, we got the phone call we hoped for– Ari was going to pull through, the DKA was under control, and he was coming home to us. But the vets were very honest with us -- there was still a lot that needed to be addressed, not the least of which is that the Cushings and diabetes need to be under control so we can schedule oral surgery (the Cushings affects Ari’s immune system, so surgery is increasingly dangerous). The vet has been strongly urging us to get the dental surgery on the calendar, because the significant degeneration of several of Ari’s teeth can create an infection that will spread to his brain.
In order to keep Ari alive, happy and healthy, he needs to be on multiple medications every day for the rest of his life. The medicine dosage and Ari’s responses to the meds and changes in his conditions need to be regularly monitored, requiring consistent scheduled testing at the vet.
Between the meds and subsequent tests, keeping Ari alive and healthy has increased our monthly financial obligations by $500+ a month, and we’ve been told to anticipate additional costs (including ultrasounds, xrays, bloodwork, meds, and other specialized testing).
We have already paid around $6000 to date for tests, monitoring, medicine, emergency treatment and more.
We have maxed out our lines of credit, borrowed all the credit cards and money possible from family and friends. We are drowning in debt because of the money we have paid to cover our little furry boy’s medical expenses.
Vet bills and debt have been piling up to the point that it’s become absolutely unmanageable.
We truly struggled with asking for help, because we really feel that since he is our dog, he is our responsibility. But we want / need to get Ari all the treatment we possibly can to make him better.
When friends and colleagues started asking how they could help, it increasingly made sense to put this page together to provide a forum for helping a beautiful loving doggy get better.
Ari probably has more friends than we do; and with his snuggles and kisses and happy tail, we totally understand why! Our friends and family know that Ari is the “guest of honor” at every single holiday, family function, BBQ, get-together with friends, etc. He sleeps with us, hangs out with us, protects us, and loves us unconditionally, just as we love him. Our love for Ari is what kept us going every day, during some of the darkest days we have seen in our lives. It was (and is!) his loving eyes and wagging tail that kept us moving forward. Love is a powerful motivator.
Any form of support is deeply, profoundly appreciated. As animal lovers, we would want to help (and have!) in similar situations. Even if a donation isn't an option for you (which no one understand better than we do!), a share would be very much appreciated!
You have our deepest gratitude.
Blessings of peace + joy be yours,
Kim & Eric Feeney
Info on DKA, Cushing’s disease, and canine diabetes:
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/cushings.html
http://www.upstateamc.com/Diabetic_ketoacidosis__Cani.html
http://www.kateconnick.com/library/cushingsdisease.html
http://www.caninediabetes.org/
Ari is truly a gift to everyone who meets him, but especially to us. Our 9 year old dachshund-yorkie mix (yes, the breed is called a “dorkie!”) has been the center of our world for 9 years, since we got him as a puppy. Ari puts a smile on everyone’s face that he’s ever met. When he trots out the door for his walk, strangers stop us every single day, asking if they can pet him; cars stop in the middle of the road and roll down the window to tell us how beautiful he is and how happy he looks.
You know how some people just have that “vibe,” exuding happiness and making everyone around them feel good? Ari is the furry four-legged version of that radiance.
Ari’s health issues began several months ago. The results of a blood panel at the vet in January 2016 showed that Ari had developed Cushings disease (details about Cushings are below) and high blood pressure. This brings its own list of treatments, medications and regular testing.
Then about a month ago, we brought Ari to the vet for what we thought was a checkup for a UTI. The vet ran her tests and told us that Ari needed to be hospitalized immediately, as he was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) (details below). He had become diabetic in the few weeks since his last checkup and no one knew. The diabetes and the DKA were caused by his Cushings. We rushed Ari to the hospital that afternoon.
Ari was kept in the emergency vet hospital overnight so the vets could aggressively treat his DKA; the vets told us that there was a very real chance that he may not pull through. We took Ari for what we thought might be the last walk we ever take him on. We kissed him good night as he cried for us not to leave him in the emergency vet kennel. And then we cried ourselves to exhaustion in the vet hospital parking lot, because we knew that Ari might die in the next 24 hours.
The following day, we got the phone call we hoped for– Ari was going to pull through, the DKA was under control, and he was coming home to us. But the vets were very honest with us -- there was still a lot that needed to be addressed, not the least of which is that the Cushings and diabetes need to be under control so we can schedule oral surgery (the Cushings affects Ari’s immune system, so surgery is increasingly dangerous). The vet has been strongly urging us to get the dental surgery on the calendar, because the significant degeneration of several of Ari’s teeth can create an infection that will spread to his brain.
In order to keep Ari alive, happy and healthy, he needs to be on multiple medications every day for the rest of his life. The medicine dosage and Ari’s responses to the meds and changes in his conditions need to be regularly monitored, requiring consistent scheduled testing at the vet.
Between the meds and subsequent tests, keeping Ari alive and healthy has increased our monthly financial obligations by $500+ a month, and we’ve been told to anticipate additional costs (including ultrasounds, xrays, bloodwork, meds, and other specialized testing).
We have already paid around $6000 to date for tests, monitoring, medicine, emergency treatment and more.
We have maxed out our lines of credit, borrowed all the credit cards and money possible from family and friends. We are drowning in debt because of the money we have paid to cover our little furry boy’s medical expenses.
Vet bills and debt have been piling up to the point that it’s become absolutely unmanageable.
We truly struggled with asking for help, because we really feel that since he is our dog, he is our responsibility. But we want / need to get Ari all the treatment we possibly can to make him better.
When friends and colleagues started asking how they could help, it increasingly made sense to put this page together to provide a forum for helping a beautiful loving doggy get better.
Ari probably has more friends than we do; and with his snuggles and kisses and happy tail, we totally understand why! Our friends and family know that Ari is the “guest of honor” at every single holiday, family function, BBQ, get-together with friends, etc. He sleeps with us, hangs out with us, protects us, and loves us unconditionally, just as we love him. Our love for Ari is what kept us going every day, during some of the darkest days we have seen in our lives. It was (and is!) his loving eyes and wagging tail that kept us moving forward. Love is a powerful motivator.
Any form of support is deeply, profoundly appreciated. As animal lovers, we would want to help (and have!) in similar situations. Even if a donation isn't an option for you (which no one understand better than we do!), a share would be very much appreciated!
You have our deepest gratitude.
Blessings of peace + joy be yours,
Kim & Eric Feeney
Info on DKA, Cushing’s disease, and canine diabetes:
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/cushings.html
http://www.upstateamc.com/Diabetic_ketoacidosis__Cani.html
http://www.kateconnick.com/library/cushingsdisease.html
http://www.caninediabetes.org/