Help Cathy Meyer Cover Tori's Medical Expenses

As many of you may know, Cathy Foley Meyer unexpectedly and tragically lost her beloved Border Terrier, Tori, last week (10/7/23), to a sudden, severe, and still unexplained gastrointestinal infection. Margaret and I entrusted this darling blue and tan girl with Cathy ten years ago and she and Tori forged a partnership dog lovers can only dream of. Tori titled in conformation, Earthdog, Barnhunt, and lure coursing, but agility was their special game! If you ever saw (and heard) this team run agility, you were awestruck by Tori's speed, enthusiasm, and willingness to do whatever Cathy asked of her. A virtual dream team!

Tori became ill very suddenly on the afternoon of Friday, October 6. Without hesitation, Cathy ran to her regular vet who treated her for intestinal symptoms. When her condition continued to deteriorate that afternoon and evening, Cathy rushed her to the closest emergency hospital. She remained there throughout the day on Saturday, her condition growing more and more critical. In desperation, Cathy transported Tori to Gulf Coast Animal Hospital near Houston, widely considered to be one of the best critical care animal hospitals in the country.

Cathy pleaded with doctors to do everything possible to save her special girl, whatever the cost. Treatment estimates exceeded $12,000, but Tori had pet insurance. Hoping for a miracle, Cathy instructed them to do everything medically possible. Ultimately, there were no miracles, and late Saturday night, the doctors convinced Cathy to make the impossible decision to end Tori’s suffering. The infection had ravaged her small body and one by one, her organs were shutting down. She was one week short of her tenth birthday.

If you love animals, you have experienced the inevitable grief of losing them to old age or a terminal illness. Unfortunately, that pain is the price we pay for these very special relationships that so enrich our lives. However, sudden, unexplainable loss like Cathy’s is even more heartbreaking. How can your beloved friend be happy and healthy in the morning, leaping with joy as you return home, and then be gone the next evening? The grief is overwhelming.

Compounding this particular tragedy for Cathy is the fact that Tori’s insurance plan will cover less than 10% of the $9000 in veterinary bills. Cathy has not only lost her best friend, but is facing astronomical bills for Tori’s medical treatment. As Tori’s breeders and Cathy’s friends, Margaret and I hope you will consider helping Cathy cover these enormous hospital costs. Any amount would help.

Shortly after Tori died, Cathy shared her heartbreaking loss with us: “She was so much more than just a heart dog. She was the soul that made me better. I wanted her to be proud of me. I was so proud of her. She was perfection. I held her tight. I couldn’t let her go. I talked to her. Thanked her for being the best dog in the world and in my life. Begged her to rally so I could take her home. But I asked too much. She couldn't even raise her head. My heart is beyond broken. Too sad to do anything but hold my other pack members close. It keeps rolling in my mind. How could this happen? What was it that caused this? Could I have done something different? I just want her back. Such a beautiful day to be without my bestest girl.. Nothing will ever be the same. But knowing the end and the short time together, would I want never to have had her in my life? Not even a chance. I was the luckiest person alive the day she came into my life. My sweet Tori. I will never forget you.”

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"Tori"

October 14, 2013 - October 7, 2023