Most of you know my mum, Jennifer Pelletier. She owned the grooming shop, Dogs By Dawn, that my Grandmother started in East Machias, ME. My mother has been having many medical issues that started back in 2019. She has had 4 surgeries on her back to remove an infected cyst. When she got back on her feet, she kept grooming, painfully, until her shop sold in 2021. She was still holding donation events to give back to the community. She held pet food drives to send to local food pantries. Prior to the COVID pandemic, she offered donation-based dog/cat nail clippings to raise $1000 to assist 5 randomly chosen veterans in heating their homes for the winter. Pre-pandemic, that was equivalent to 100 gallons of propane. Mum has always helped people and animals whenever she can.

Mum has only had more health issues added to the list since she sold her grooming shop. She has had carpal tunnel surgery done on one hand, painful foot surgery, and a polyp removed from her vocal cords. She worked for as long as she could but has gotten to the point that she just can't. She sold her car and house, which they spent many years remodeling. Once the house sold, they moved to Florida in hopes that the warmer weather will help with pain from the rheumatoid arthritis that she was diagnosed with in 2021. Throughout dealing with all of these new health issues, my stepfather has been dealing with his own health challenges. He had a stroke in 2011 and is still handling liver and kidney issues with constant doctor's visits and procedures.

A couple of months ago, in July 2025, she had to have a full hysterectomy done. Recently, at her follow-up, she was informed that she had a lesion on her bladder and was referred to a urologist. It turned out to be a tumor on her bladder and they've set up the surgery for September 17 to remove it. We will not know until then if the tumor is cancerous.

The medical bills are just piling up more and more, as they are surviving on my stepfather's SSI. She was denied disability and is currently working with a lawyer to appeal it. They have gone through the majority of their savings with all of these unexpected surprises, procedures, and surgeries. And that's not even counting the pain management.

Any donations, positive thoughts, or shares will absolutely help keep them above water and be greatly appreciated.