Help Madeleine Keep Frankie Healthy and Happy

Dear Friends,

I’m reaching out with an open heart to share the story of my dear friend Madeleine and her loyal dog, Frankie. Frankie is battling serious health issues, and the mounting medical bills and stress have become overwhelming. I persuaded Madeleine to let me start this campaign because she’s been going through this alone for too long, and I want to support her in keeping Frankie by her side.

I know there are many causes worthy of your support, but I hope you can show some generosity to a wonderful future doctor of Chinese Medicine right here in our community. Madeleine, who has been a fantastic friend and roommate, always supports others, including taking care of my dog, Rufus. I’ve also cared for Frankie and remember the heart-wrenching moment he had a seizure while I was dog-sitting, just before Madeleine’s early morning flight for Christmas—an experience that underscored his importance to us all. Needless to say, she didn’t make it home for Christmas.

Madeleine is not only an amazing friend but also a dedicated student working towards a graduate degree in Chinese medicine. Her demanding schedule means she’s under a lot of stress but remains a pillar of strength for Frankie.

We aim to raise $8,500 to cover Frankie’s treatments, medications, and care. Any donation, big or small, will make a difference and show Madeleine and Frankie they’re not alone.

Please join us in supporting Madeleine and Frankie through this tough time. Your generosity will bring much-needed comfort and relief. Thank you for making a difference in their lives.

Please read Madeleine's story below, where she provides all the details about what has been happening and why I'm asking for the amount we've listed.

With optimism,

Mitra (& Rufus, Frankie’s buddy)

From Madeleine:

Hello everyone,

My name is Madeleine, and I'm reaching out to you today with a heartfelt request for help. I am a full-time graduate student studying Chinese Medicine, and my beloved 7-year-old Old English Sheepdog, Frankie, desperately needs your support.

In October 2023, after a recent move, Frankie developed severe separation anxiety. He cannot be left alone for more than 1.5 hours without howling continuously, pacing, drooling, as well as refusing food. This condition has been incredibly challenging to manage alongside my demanding studies.

Over the past year, we have tried numerous methods to alleviate Frankie's separation anxiety (you name it - I’ve tried it!), including the generosity of many wonderful friends, training, and various medications. Unfortunately, some of these medications led to serious side effects such as anorexia and even a seizure. Despite these setbacks, we continue to search for effective solutions to help him feel more secure and comfortable.

Recently, Frankie's health took another hit. He partially tore his right ACL, has weakness in his left knee, and suffers from spinal degeneration. We are pursuing a non-surgical treatment plan that includes regular chiropractic and acupuncture sessions, as well as medications to manage his anxiety, muscle tension, and pain. Thankfully, Frankie is responding well to the chiropractic and acupuncture visits he has had, and these treatments will be crucial for stabilizing his knee.

Surgery for his knees would cost anywhere from $5,000 to $6,000 per knee, and we are hoping to avoid this due to his age and the fact that such surgeries aren't always effective. The non-surgical route offers a more sustainable and less invasive solution, but it requires ongoing care and support.

Frankie is also very sensitive to prescription medications so it will be important to get him off these medications as quickly as possible. So far medications we have tried for his pain management and anxiety have led to depression, increased anxiety, nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea, anorexia, lethargy, urination problems, and a seizure.

As a full-time student living on student loans, covering Frankie's extensive care has become overwhelming. The financial burden, combined with the isolation of not being able to leave Frankie alone, has severely affected my mental health. I am constantly worried about his well-being and the possibility of losing him, as well as sacrificing many of my own basic needs. It seems as though every solution comes with three negative side effects, making decisions extremely hard and stressful to make. The strain of balancing my studies, his care, and the financial challenges has been immense.

I've been fortunate to have the support of some truly amazing friends and neighbors, but it hasn't been enough. The financial strain is immense, and I've had to consider the heart-wrenching possibility of giving Frankie up to someone who can better afford his care. I’ve looked into this option, but it has been too heartbreaking to go through with.

This is where I hope you can help. After the last year, through all the issues that have arisen for Frankie, my care team and I feel we have some solid plans to get him back on track to the fun-loving and healthy guy he once was. With your generosity, I aim to:

Frankie is not just a pet; he is my family, my companion, my emotional support animal, and thus my source of comfort. I am committed to doing everything I can to give him the care he deserves, but I cannot do it alone.

Your donation, no matter how small, will make a huge difference in our lives. It will give Frankie a chance to heal in a loving home where he feels safe and cared for, and it will allow me to focus on my studies without the constant worry about his well-being.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and support.

With gratitude,

Madeleine and Frankie