Help for Chloe & the McMahons
Donation protected
Many of you know the McMahons. They are good friends of ours and are very active in our community. If you’ve ever been to the McMahon house, you know they have 2 cherished golden retrievers, Chloe and Star.
On Friday, November 6th, their 12 year-old golden (Chloe) was hit by the pizza delivery man. She broke her hip in two places, broke most of her ribs, and had internal bleeding. John and Cassandra brought Chloe to Bulger Animal Hospital in North Andover but because of the severity of the surgery she was transferred to Mass Veterinarian Referral Hospital in Woburn.
Most families would have given up on an elderly dog in that situation, but not the McMahons. Chloe made it through the surgery but then faced a series of complications that would be difficult for even a younger dog. But Chloe – with the support of her devoted family – beat the odds multiple times. In the 2 weeks that Chloe was at MVRH in Woburn, she battled arrhythmia, mini strokes due to blood clots, and pneumonia. Even if she made it out of the hospital, my friends didn’t know if Chloe would ever walk – or be able to live a normal life – ever again.
When Chloe was finally released on November 22nd, she was still battling pneumonia, and had no movement in her back legs. When home, my friend John had to express her bladder several times a day to ensure that Chloe didn’t develop a urinary tract infection while they waited to see if she would ever get feeling back in her lower spine and legs. Chloe needed around-the-clock care, and the McMahons never questioned this responsibility. The prognosis was bleak, but the McMahons continued to support their cherished Chloe in the hopes she would show some level of recovery.
John told me that during their first appointment after her release from the hospital, the neurologist told him that Chloe had not gained any feeling in her hind quarters, and that she might not ever get that feeling back. The emergency room doctor echoed the same news, but that wouldn’t deter the McMahons, they kept their faith and would give it more time to see if she could improve.
I am happy to say that Chloe seemingly has beaten the odds. She now has feeling back in her legs, and can move them, although will probably never be able to walk again. Thankfully she can go to the bathroom outside on her own, and although she is certainly more work than she was before, she can spend her remaining years with the family she loves. In a few days she will be sized for a dog cart (basically a wheel chair for dogs) which will hopefully give her the ability to move around on her own. (As of now, Chloe has two straps on her front and back and the family has to hold the back strap to help her walk).
During this time of year, Chloe’s story is an inspiration, but so is the dedication and unyielding devotion of my friends – the McMahons. Most would have given up – but thankfully they didn’t, and Chloe’s remarkable recovery is a lesson in patience, love, and faith.
As you can imagine, the cost for the surgery, the critical care while in the animal hospital for 2+ weeks, the medications, and all the other costs associated with getting Chloe better, are astronomical. When I last spoke with John they had paid over $18,000 out of pocket (they don’t have pet insurance.) With the Holidays upon us and with a son headed to college next year, I know the financial impact of Chloe’s care has been significant. Many would never have spent that kind of money on a dog, but if you know the McMahons, you know the decision was never in question. Chloe is a part of their family, and they thought about the dog first, and themselves second.
John and his wife would never ask for money, but as a friend I would love to raise some funds to help offset some of the costs that have piled up. Perhaps with the power of donations we can ease some of that burden, especially on the heels of Christmas.
Thank you.
Rick Guarino & Family.
On Friday, November 6th, their 12 year-old golden (Chloe) was hit by the pizza delivery man. She broke her hip in two places, broke most of her ribs, and had internal bleeding. John and Cassandra brought Chloe to Bulger Animal Hospital in North Andover but because of the severity of the surgery she was transferred to Mass Veterinarian Referral Hospital in Woburn.
Most families would have given up on an elderly dog in that situation, but not the McMahons. Chloe made it through the surgery but then faced a series of complications that would be difficult for even a younger dog. But Chloe – with the support of her devoted family – beat the odds multiple times. In the 2 weeks that Chloe was at MVRH in Woburn, she battled arrhythmia, mini strokes due to blood clots, and pneumonia. Even if she made it out of the hospital, my friends didn’t know if Chloe would ever walk – or be able to live a normal life – ever again.
When Chloe was finally released on November 22nd, she was still battling pneumonia, and had no movement in her back legs. When home, my friend John had to express her bladder several times a day to ensure that Chloe didn’t develop a urinary tract infection while they waited to see if she would ever get feeling back in her lower spine and legs. Chloe needed around-the-clock care, and the McMahons never questioned this responsibility. The prognosis was bleak, but the McMahons continued to support their cherished Chloe in the hopes she would show some level of recovery.
John told me that during their first appointment after her release from the hospital, the neurologist told him that Chloe had not gained any feeling in her hind quarters, and that she might not ever get that feeling back. The emergency room doctor echoed the same news, but that wouldn’t deter the McMahons, they kept their faith and would give it more time to see if she could improve.
I am happy to say that Chloe seemingly has beaten the odds. She now has feeling back in her legs, and can move them, although will probably never be able to walk again. Thankfully she can go to the bathroom outside on her own, and although she is certainly more work than she was before, she can spend her remaining years with the family she loves. In a few days she will be sized for a dog cart (basically a wheel chair for dogs) which will hopefully give her the ability to move around on her own. (As of now, Chloe has two straps on her front and back and the family has to hold the back strap to help her walk).
During this time of year, Chloe’s story is an inspiration, but so is the dedication and unyielding devotion of my friends – the McMahons. Most would have given up – but thankfully they didn’t, and Chloe’s remarkable recovery is a lesson in patience, love, and faith.
As you can imagine, the cost for the surgery, the critical care while in the animal hospital for 2+ weeks, the medications, and all the other costs associated with getting Chloe better, are astronomical. When I last spoke with John they had paid over $18,000 out of pocket (they don’t have pet insurance.) With the Holidays upon us and with a son headed to college next year, I know the financial impact of Chloe’s care has been significant. Many would never have spent that kind of money on a dog, but if you know the McMahons, you know the decision was never in question. Chloe is a part of their family, and they thought about the dog first, and themselves second.
John and his wife would never ask for money, but as a friend I would love to raise some funds to help offset some of the costs that have piled up. Perhaps with the power of donations we can ease some of that burden, especially on the heels of Christmas.
Thank you.
Rick Guarino & Family.
Organizer and beneficiary
John McMahon
Organizer
East Boxford, MA
John McMahon
Beneficiary
