This fundraiser is for Benny, a 4-year-old basset hound/rough collie mix.
And for his family; Mom Kathy McCabe, an 18-year Air Force veteran, and his kiddos, Jackson, McKenzie, and Samantha.
But before I tell you their story, I want to provide a little history…
In February of 2014, after 18 years of active duty in the Air Force, Kathy left her military life behind in a brave effort to escape an unhealthy marriage. She gathered her children, then ages 3, 6, and 9, and left North Dakota in search of a new life for them all, a better life. They drove from North Dakota to Maine in the middle of winter, carefully navigating through storm after storm. Kathy finally made it to Maine, jobless, homeless, and nearly hopeless.
Now, let’s fast forward…
Kathy successfully made that new and better life for her and her children here in Bangor, Maine. After serving her country in the Air Force, Kathy continues to serve here in her community. She spent the first few years in case management for disabled adults, and is currently working for the Bangor School Department, assisting students and families who are struggling with academics and remote learning.
This back story connects with Benny in a way that many of you understand; the healing of trauma and deep wounds that is provided by the unconditional love of a dog. Benny joined his family four years ago as a puppy, and has been that loving, devoted, therapeutic dog for Kathy and her children.
Eight days ago, Benny was his energetic, happy-go-lucky, usual self. At four years old he was a typical adolescent doggy, spending his time running and playing and just hanging out with his family. Doing what normal dogs do… chasing his human children around the house, around the yard, jumping into their laps on the couch, playing tug of war with his toys, chewing sticks half his size, hopping in the car and going on family outings, alternating kids for sleeping buddies every night, and on and on... All the while, being Kathy’s steadfast best friend.
Eight days.
In only one week, Benny drastically and suddenly changed into a dog that you would hardly recognize. He is vomiting. He doesn’t eat. He won’t drink. He shakes and convulses off and on all day. He is not mobile because he can hardly walk. He can hardly stand on his own four legs.
Kathy and Benny have spent the last week in and out of the veterinary office and the emergency vet. She has received no answers at her vet’s office, and very little support. X-rays and ultrasounds showed no evidence of a blockage, but the vet offered exploratory surgery. However, Benny is so ill, it’s not unlikely that he wouldn’t survive it. Kathy wants to see the results of the Addison’s test before she risks his life in surgery. Unfortunately, results are backed up as delivery services prioritize vaccine shipments. And the inclement weather has only added to that delay. She called her veterinary office every day, updating them on Benny’s symptoms, the severity, the fast decline, all but begging for help.
By Friday of this past week, when her vet wasn’t available to take or return her calls, they headed to the emergency vet in Brewer. Benny was admitted and stayed for the weekend. They ran a battery of comprehensive tests. Not surprisingly, he tested positive for Lyme (a test that wasn’t even performed at Kathy’s veterinary office). They prescribed multiple medications for Lyme, nausea and vomiting, and pain. All of their test results (and there were dozens) came back fairly normal. They also didn’t see any evidence of blockage in either ultrasounds or x-rays. They did say they thought there might be a “suspicious area” in the stomach, but they weren’t convinced that Benny’s symptoms suggested a blockage. He is terribly weak, and surgery still isn’t the ideal course of immediate action. They still await the results of the Addison’s test, which was done a week ago.
Kathy’s vet told her to take Benny to the speciality veterinary hospital in Portland. Every other veterinarian she’s spoken with is hesitant to see him because of his condition and also suggested the specialty care hospital. The emergency vet gave Kathy the same advice.
And of course Kathy wants to bring Benny to Portland. They have the specialists, the lab, the equipment, the pharmacy… Everything that Benny needs for a shot at life. For a chance to enjoy that new and better life that Kathy has created for them all.
As each day goes by, Benny gets worse and worse. And as each day goes by, the veterinary expenses and the debt that she has already incurred become more and more insurmountable.
Kathy has provided for her family as a single mother, throughout her years of service and her career. She overcame not only emotional hardship, but financial hardship as well. After years of determination, and the strength that comes only from being a veteran and a single mom, Kathy made that new life for her and her children. And just as they became comfortable and settled into it, they are faced with another emotional crisis, and thousands of dollars in veterinary care. Unexpectedly. Mysteriously.
She spent her savings first. When that was depleted, Kathy turned to her credit cards (as many of us do in times of need), splitting veterinary bills between cards as she approached her credit limits. And now she will use care credit for Benny's medical needs. Although that is a useful option, it will only add to her debt and her monthly expenses. But she refuses to give up on Benny. He was so healthy, and is so young, and has so much more life to live. And someone must have the answers for his treatment. She might just find them in Portland.
She is a proud mother and veteran, and is humbled by this fundraiser. It took some convincing, but I am so thankful that she let me do it.
Please. Help me to help Kathy, her children, and Benny.
I have set the goal at $5000 (Kathy has spent over half that much already). We all know that this kind of serious treatment could easily go beyond that. My personal goal is to raise more than that. As much more as possible.
Kathy is the sole beneficiary of this fundraiser, and will be able to withdraw as she needs it for Benny's treatment.
Thank you all very much for your love and support.
Organizer and beneficiary
