Give Sophie a Chance at a Joyful Life

Fundraiser for Sophie

Dear friends:

I find myself in an incredibly challenging situation. Maybe some of you have been where I am now. Or maybe you know someone who has. In any event, I feel I have no choice but to reach out to the animal caregiving community for help.

Dogs have played an important role in my adult life. Right about the time I stopped working fulltime I took a deep dive into the world of animal rescue. I became a volunteer at PACC(Pima Animal Care Center-The city animal shelter in Tucson, Arizona)and during my 8 years there really learned about canine behavior. But I also learned about unconditional love. It was a very special, very rewarding period in my life.

We currently have 2 amazing pups, both rescues. Blu is a 7

Year old male cattle dog mix, and Sophie a 14 year old female Treeing Coonhound mix.

Before I discuss the reason for my request for help, I want to give you some context. Before I became involved with PACC my family had the great fortune of raising and nurturing several dogs. As we all know, there are real, everyday financial costs involved when taking responsibility for these special souls. But the one cost that is impossible to measure is the emotional investment. Especially if you are “all in”. And if you are, you never feel they live long enough.

We also to need to recognize that if their already limited time with us is cut short-due to illness- that we have an obligation to do our very best to make the right decisions for them at those critical points in their lives. I am at that point now.

Sophie was special from the beginning. As in special needs. From the time we brought her home at 8 weeks , this runt of a litter of 12 hounds was in such bad shape that our vet felt her long term prognosis was very poor. Even with an aggressive medical protocol we were told that progress during her first 2 weeks with us gave her a 50-50 chance. But sometimes miracles happen. With help from her “ adopted” 2 lab puppy brothers she not only lived but has thrived the past 13 years.

Unfortunately, she has developed a mass in the joint of her left front leg that has continued to steadily grow. And she is beginning to show signs of low level pain.

I met recently with a veterinary surgeon. Soon Sophie will have great difficulty walking. Removal of the mass is not an option because there are no acceptable margins around the cancer. After much discussion and additional tests, he feels that Sophie is an excellent candidate for amputation.

Initially it was difficult for me to get my head around that possibility. But the more I did a deep dive into the world of 3-legged canines, I realized it was me who had to adapt to a new reality for her. The more I spoke with the surgeon- who by the way is a very compassionate human being- It became clear that amputation was the only course of action that would give Sophie the opportunity to continue to live a joyful life.

She is very healthy in all other aspects. She still bounds down the trail on our glorious morning hikes, telling me that this is where she belongs. The surgeon feels that after a period of adjustment Sophie can still enjoy discovering nature on her daily walks/hikes with me. Next to having a close and loving human relationship this cross species connection is unlike any other. For those of you who have been blessed with sharing your life with an animal companion you can fully appreciate what I am saying.

Any contributions to help with her considerable medical expenses will be greatly appreciated. I want to give Sophie the quality of life she richly deserves, however long that is. I know she enjoys spending time with me. But I admit, I am selfish. Having Sophie being part of my life everyday gives me a chance to help realize my full potential as a human. I know I am a better person since she came into my life. I want to have her by my side as long as I can.

Dogs offer people "an ordinary, extraordinary grace," writes Jean Houston in Mystical Dogs. “Dogs are the great companions of our lives. They teach us, love us, care for us even when we are uncaring, feed our souls, and always, always give us the benefit of the doubt. With natural grace, they give us insight into the nature of the good and often provide us with a mirror of our better nature, as well as a remembrance of once and future possibilities."

“ Your future hasn't been written yet. No one's has! Your future is whatever you make it -- so make it a good one!"

Dr. Emmett Brown, Back to the Future

Thank you in advance for your consideration.