April 7th, 2025: Update on Meatball’s Healing Journey

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for your continued support—your generosity, kind words, and shares mean the world to us and to Meatball.

Meatball had his surgery on March 31st to remove three mast cell tumors, with the most significant one located on his right thigh, measuring over one square inch. While the other two sites are healing well, the incision on his thigh has been a challenge—it’s in a tough spot that stretches easily with movement, which has made recovery tricky.

On April 2nd, after a small jump of excitement, Meatball reopened that incision. Our vet was able to restitch it using topical care (no sedation), and we started him on calming medication to help him rest and heal. But despite our best efforts and his chill meds, he managed to reopen it again on April 6th.

This time, he’ll need to be sedated and the area will be closed with sutures to give it the best possible chance to heal securely. He’ll also be staying in a crate during recovery to limit movement and reduce the chance of another setback.

Even through all this, Meatball continues to be his goofy, food-obsessed, and affectionate self—tail wagging, spirit strong, and as always, soaking up the love (and the vet treats).

We’ve already begun using your generous donations to cover his surgery and follow-up care. Your support has made this level of care possible, and we truly can’t thank you enough.

I’m so grateful for every bit of love and help we’ve received so far. If you’re able to, please continue to share Meatball’s fundraiser—it makes a huge difference in getting him the care he needs and in spreading his story even further.

Thank you for being part of Team Meatball.

With heartfelt thanks,

Tiziana

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March 22nd, 2025

Hi Everyone,

We’d love for you to meet Meatball—our sweet, goofy, and always-hungry American Staffordshire Terrier. Meatball first came into our lives in November 2021 as a foster, and from the moment he walked through our door, he felt like family. When it came time to decide whether to return him to the shelter, we couldn’t imagine letting him go. So, we made it official and adopted him.

Meatball had a tough start in life, but despite everything he’s been through, he is the friendliest, most loving dog. He came to us with cropped ears, chronic skin allergies, constant ear infections, and ulcerated eyes. After many vet visits, we were able to save one of his eyes, but he lost vision in the other. None of that has ever dampened his spirit. What he lacks in sight (and sometimes in common sense), he more than makes up for in heart. He’s the most loyal, affectionate, food-obsessed pup we could ever ask for.

Meatball has always had an iron stomach—he’s eaten things we never thought digestible—but now he’s facing something much tougher. He’s been diagnosed with Mast Cell Tumors and needs surgery to remove them. This is an additional cost to Meatball’s ongoing care, and while we’ve always done whatever it takes to keep him healthy, we could really use some help this time.

Any amount, big or small, will go directly toward his surgery and treatment, giving Meatball the best shot at many more years of love, snacks, and belly rubs. If you can’t donate, sharing his story means the world to us.

Thank you for being part of Meatball’s journey! ❤️

With love and gratitude,

Tiziana