Dear Friends,

Three years ago, I found the sweetest Boxer chained to a post in the pouring rain near a busy street in Los Angeles, with a sign saying, “Take her.” She was extremely thin and malnourished with scabs on her body and she appeared to have birthed multiple litters. My guess was she had been used to breed puppies for money for some years and then discarded. When I approached her, she jumped up and kissed me as if I was a long-lost friend. I’ve always felt that although I rescued her that day, she’s really the one who rescued me. She is the most loving girl and has been such a joy and has helped me through some of life’s most difficult trials.

This past week, however, has been a scary one for my sweet little girl Penny Lane and me. It started one morning with her seeming disoriented, having trouble walking, and then plopping down almost lifeless. I rushed her to the vet for an emergency visit.

She was bleeding internally and her blood work showed severe abnormalities. Fluid could be seen in her x-rays, but it wasn’t until the ultrasound that the seriousness of her illness hit.

Penny Lane was diagnosed with that sickening “C” word – cancer.


The vet gave little hope she’d make it through the weekend, let alone a week or beyond. And he offered the “quality of life” speech, inferring to euthanization.

I was in shock! The day before she seemed completely normal, full of energy and running around the park, as was her daily routine. And now this.

I had to seek a second opinion.

The prognosis…she has a single mass on her liver, smaller than the first report, and the oncology vet explained that Penny Lane’s condition is in its early stages. Since it’s a single-mass tumor, they can remove it before it spreads.

This type of tumor is a fast-growing one, however, so surgery must be done right away.

The surgeon has had great success with this particular type of cancer, which is more than just promising, it feels like the right thing to do.

So far, the testing and treatment have cost around $3000. The surgery plus two days’ hospital stay is estimated to cost another $6000, and I won’t be able to schedule her surgery without at least 75% ($4500) paid upfront. Following the procedure will be ongoing tests and medications during her recovery, with additional costs.


I’m prepared to handle the additional work and costs of longer-term care – such as continued medications, holistic homecooked meals, which I’m already doing, and any continued treatment. But with this news being so sudden and her need for surgery being so urgent, help is needed for the immediate costs to schedule the operation.

A successful GoFundMe is my only hope to save my sweet little girl and Penny Lane’s only chance for survival!

I can’t tell you how much she means to me and my family. Losing her would be devastating.

I’ve rescued many dogs through the years, finding them good homes to live out their days in happiness – I even once rescued a dog from the freeway.

Penny Lane was different from the start. It was as if she had been waiting for me to come along, and I couldn’t give her up. And I can’t let her go now. I am asking with all my heart, please help me save her life!  

I am eternally grateful for anything you can contribute to help Penny Lane. Every bit counts. Truly. 

My sincerest appreciation,

Brandi

 

This is a photo of Penny Lane's happier days, when she received a blessing alongside other beloved dogs at Wayfarers Chapel.

Please contribute what you can, and help spread the word so Penny Lane can live!