Let's Give Gus Another Year
Please help us fund Gus' radiation therapy to give him another year of quality life.
Seven years ago, a ten week old French Bulldog came into our lives. From the moment we met, it was pure, complete love. 
We named him Gus and immediately discovered he was a very special, very unique pup. My husband Paul and I always had dogs in our familes growing up, but none were so curious, perceptive, friendly, smart, and downright sweet to their cores. 
I don't think either of us were prepared for the level of social interaction Gus would generate. Living in NYC, it was difficult to walk even a few steps without cars stopping, folks asking to say hi, or burly construction workers yelling "yo - that's a cute dog" (in that classic macho Brooklyn accent). 
Speaking of NYC, we were under the assumption that Gus would be a fantastic apartment pup. Everything we read said that they fared really well in smaller spaces, as long as their family was close by. As we soon found out Gus was a country dog through and through. 
Gus is always happiest outdoors. We would routienely travel to my family's home in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. He would run, and run, and run through the fields, interacting with all the other animals and smelling all those amzing country scents. Knowing how happy being outside made Gus, we tried to travel with him as often as possible. He's been with us to half a dozen states all the way from Maryland to Maine.
With no children of our own, Gus, my husband, and I became a family. Always together, always helping each other through good times and bad. In fact, Gus became a certified therapy dog, adding tremendous thereputic value as I delt, and continue to deal with the effects of clinical depression. It's extremely difficult to describe our deep and profound bond. 
Recently we noticed that Gus wasn't quite himself. We had just moved from NYC to Connecticut and thought he was having a difficult time adjusting to his new surroundings. As the days went on, it was clear something wasn't quite right. We were due to go away to upstate New York for my husband's birthday, but decided to make an appointment at our animal hospital anyway. We drove down from Woodstock a few days ago, and over the course of the last four days, many tests, and many miles, we found out difinitively that Gus is suffering from an inoperable brain tumor. 
We are absolutey devestated. We have been shaken to our cores, and are quickly cycling through profound greif, shock, anger, and helplessness. We cannot even begin to imagine our lives without him - our hearts are tearing apart. 
We are taking all possible measures, and have Gus on multiple medications to bring down the swelling in his brain and prevent seizures. Our neurologist is saying if money were no object she would definitely have him start targeted radiation therapy. We were told because he is so darn young and healthy otherwise, there's a very good chance this therapy could give Gus another year of good, quality life.
We know that our time as a family is nearing an end. We know that nothing we do will prevent the inevitable. We are soley looking to give our beloved Gus as much good, quality time as possible. Without treatment, prognosis is less than three months. With radiation therapy, he may have a good year of love, joy, and outdoor sniffs to look forward to.
We don't have exact pricing quite yet, but we've been told that targeted radiation therapy could be in the ballpark of $8,000, which is currently beyond our means. Between hospitalization, extensive bloodwork, MRIs etc. we have already (very willingly) spent over $4,000 on Gus' healthcare.
We are reaching out into the universe to see if we can come close to our goal. Even if you are unable to donate, just sharing our story would mean the world to us. As I sit here typing this with tears in my eyes, I'm watching Gus laying in the grass - enjoying the sun and lifting his head every once in a while to sniff the air. As his caregivers we want only to provide him the best life possible, we know he deserves a little more time on this Earth.
Thank you
Paul Ferretti, Paul Jones, & our Gussy boy
