Piggers' Pals: A Foundation of Hope

Piggers' Pals

Nutters

My big sister, Nutters. She is 12 years old and wasn't too thrilled when I came along. But soon she began to love me. It took some pestering, but I could usually get her to play tug of war with our toys. Even though I was bigger than her, I always looked up to her. Don't tell her, but I always knew she was the boss.

Divot

Divot was my best friend. I met her at my mom's clinic and we would play together all the time. Divot would always try to bite at my clothes when we would run in the back yard. I think she was just jealous of my fashion sense and the fact that I got to wear cool clothes. But I loved her anyway.

Mindy

This is Mindy, a friend I met while I was having my chemotherapy. She was being treated for mast cell cancer and would drive almost three hours one way, three days a week for radiation and chemotherapy for her cancer. We didn't get a chance to play much because I was always a little too hyper for Mindy, but she was so brave for her treatments. She even had to have a front leg amputated because of the disease, but even that never slowed her down. Mindy's family always made my mom smile on the tough days, and our families have helped each other cope with the scary parts of our treatments. Sadly, Mindy's fight with cancer ended in the spring of 2007. I know Mindy's family misses her, but oh how they would smile to see her now, running and playing, barking greetings as we both make new friends in Heaven.

Sofie

Sofie and I met at Gulf Coast where she had been recovering from recent knee surgery. Even though she is a lot bigger than me, I would always bully her with my fierce bark and she would back off, which I thought was funny every time. Sofie is pretty special. She is a therapy dog and goes to visit sick children in the hospital and gives them hope. Sofie's mom, Susan, held my hand when I was very sick, something I wouldn't allow anyone but my mom to do, but I knew she and Sofie were my friends from the first day we met. Thanks, Sofie, for letting me think I was tough when you would come around, when all you were probably doing was tolerating my bad behavior. It made me smile.

Max

Max was the first recipient of financial assistance from Pigger's Pals. On April 5, 2007, he was diagnosed with lymphoma and soon after was given his first chemotherapy treatment. He initially responded very well and began eating again and wanting to play ball with his family, his favorite activity. Max's remission lasted only a short time, but as his family wrote, "we are genuinely grateful for this little window of time we were given to have the opportunity to give him back some of the devoted love and caring he has shown us for 8 years. We can only hope that someday we can repay the kindness that Piggers' Foundation has shown by relieving Max's suffering and providing the treatment that made his cancer go into remission-even if only for a little while and providing us with this extra time to spend with our beloved pet." Although we were only able to extend Max's time with his family for a short while, we are glad that the foundation could give them the opportunity to return the love that he shared with them as they began to say goodbye to their friend.

Zoe

Zoe joined the Piggers' Pals family in December 2007. She is a 7 yr. old female mixed breed dog that was being treated for lymphoma. Zoe had previously been treated with a few chemotherapy sessions and her cancer had been in remission, but when the foundation was notified of Zoe's need for help, her cancer had returned and her owner was unable to afford the chemotherapy that Zoe needed. Piggers' Pals assisted in providing two of Zoe's chemotherapy treatments which allowed Zoe to enjoy long walks in the park with her mom. In Zoe's own words, "Piggers' Pals has helped me by obtaining the medicine I need for my treatments and has given me the courage to fight this disease and spend more time with my mom. This is my wish for all families because the love we give each other is priceless.

Pauly

Pauly is a very handsome Standard Poodle who was introduced to Piggers' Pals by his surgeon, Dr. Heidi Hottinger. Pauly was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the toe which required that the digit be amputated. We knew right away that Pauly would need our help to get back on his feet, so to speak, as he serves to love and protect his mom, Cynthia, as she bravely battles brain cancer. Their bond has never been stronger as they both help each other fight cancer together.

Jasmine

Jasmine has been with her family since she was seven weeks old. After a phase of chewing holes in the middle of the carpet, she quickly settled in to her role as family protector. Late in 2007, Jasmine was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Her mom, Michelle, wrote, "I can't begin to convey what Jasmine means to me. Before I had her, I never understood the bond that people had with their pets. Piggers' Pals is helping me to help her. I don't know how much longer we will have Jasmine with us, but we will cherish every moment. The years go by and we always think that we have more time, or that we can put things off until tomorrow. Whether we have a month or a year, whatever time we have is time to make unforgettable lifelong memories."

Sampson

Sampson is a 10 yr old Cocker Spaniel recently diagnosed with lymphoma. His hobbies include playing ball, playing in the sprinkler, and running and running with his tongue hanging out, then running some more. After he developed a cough that would not go away, his doctors found a mass in his chest pressing on his heart. Piggers' Pals happily was able to support Sampson in his fight against lymphoma.

Angel

In August of 2006, we began fostering (and have since adopted) a beautiful, sweet dog that had been treated cruelly and violently by her original owners. When she came into our lives, she was only 6 months old and had 13 broken bones and numerous other fractures already in their healing stages.

Her story was highlighted on an episode of Animal Cops Houston, which showed the generosity and kindness of Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, who donated the surgeries to fix her hips and then also the months of intensive hydrotherapy she needed to learn to walk again.

Well, Angel is still in need of one more surgery to make her quality of life what it should be. She needs an elbow replacement, which will also be done at Gulf Coast , although this surgery will not be donated. We are trying to raise the funds so that she can have this surgery and she will no longer have to live in the constant pain she endures, her only reminder of what she endured her first 6 months of life.

As Angels’ parents and biggest fans, we have lots of love, compassion and a warm safe home for her.....but we do not have the $6,000 it will cost to pay for her surgery. So, we sent out a plea to anyone who would be willing to donate towards Angel’s surgery, and Piggers’ Pals has stepped up and offered to help. What a blessing! Now Angel will get to live out her years without the constant pain reminding her of her past. She will be able to run and play, like God always intended for her to do.

Thanks Piggers’ Pals!