Little Frank, the bestest Buddy Dog, needs your help

Hi everyone, my name is Wayne, and this is my best buddy, Frank. Frank is an 8-year-old Pomeranian. He came into our lives as a baby, following the unexpected loss of two of our packmates, Fred & Amos.

Molly, our sole remaining Pug, was, at 14, for the first time in her life, the only dog in our home. She was devastated; she simply didn't know how to get through a day alone. She had stopped eating and was fading away quickly. When Frank came home, he immediately set to healing our hearts; First Molly, and then ours as well.

Because of Frank's joyful youth, and his love, Molly was with us for three more years.

Fred, a Chihuahua, was the predecessor of Frank, and for 16 years was my best friend. I was positive another dog could never replace the special connection he and I had shared. I was wrong; I was amazed by how quickly and completely Frank wove his way into my heart, healing it, and becoming my best friend.

For his entire life, he has been my constant companion, seldom more than a couple meters away, 24/7. He's gotten me through some pretty tough spots; my health has been very challenging for the last couple of decades, fighting oral cancer & the aftermath of treatment. The loss of people very important to me, and many other things. Always, completely loving & supportive, always there.

Now, the situation is reversed; it's Frank who needs my help & support.

He became quite ill, very suddenly. After two days of no food, we made a trip to the emergency care Veterinary hospital. Hundreds of dollars in diagnostic tests, various medications & rehydration, with no clear answer as to what made him ill.

He is feeling better, and the upset stomach is on the mend. During the work-up though, another. more menacing problem was found.

Frank has a tumor. In his mouth, on his upper jawline. Dogs & humans are suseptable to many of the same kinds of oral tumors, some benign like epulis, many others malignant; squamous cell carcinoma, sarcomas oesteo-sarcomas. It has affected at least a couple of his teeth as well.

I'm intimately familiar with oral tumors; squamous cell carcinoma in the jaw came close to killing me, in 2006/2007. Now, my best Buddy, Frank is facing this same, potentially life threatening reality. I HAVE to help him. I MUST help him. I don't know if I can help him enough.

I'm a senior citizen, and we live on a fixed income. Like millions of others, I'm acutely aware of how difficult it has become just putting food on the table and a roof over our heads. There is simply very little money to spare. Frank MUST have this tumor removed, as soon as possible.

Dental surgery for pets has become insanely expensive; Best case, this surgery will be in the neighbourhood of $10,000. Worst case; $15,000. Money we simply do not have.

Anyone who knows me, knows I have never asked anyone for financial help. Pride, the knowledge that everyone is struggling these days, I could never do that. For Frank? I will do whatever I need to; plead, beg, sell possessions...Whatever. It. Takes.

He has pet health insurance that will cover a small part of the costs for this surgery (about $2000 maximum), but the balance is up to me. I know that today, many people in similar situations will simply shrug their shoulders, say "he's just a dog" and have the Vet preform Euthanasia. I am not one of those people.

Frank means more to me than I can adequately express. He DESRVES to have the best care I can provide for him, and I can only do that, with your help.

It would be easy for someone to say "Set the goal high. Then use the excess for a vacation, or something frivolous". As I said before, I've never sought help in my life; It's not in my makeup. It is my intention, goal and firm promise, that every cent raised by this GoFundMe will be used to provide surgical & Medical care for Frank. Should there more raised than is needed for Franks medical expenses, 100% of the excess funds will be donated to a local Animal Rescue, to help other animals in distress.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and giving this cause your consideration. I know in the Grand Scheme of things, Frank & his problems are a small blip on the radar. On MY Radar, next to my wife & children, he IS the most important thing in my world