A Plea for Help – One of Our Own

I hadn’t planned on writing this, but sometimes situations just arise and take priority over others. A wonderful woman, passionate dog lover and rescuer, and all-around lover of our planet has been having a scary time lately with her own three dogs. We all know it’s hard when one of our pets gets sick; imagine three at once, with an unknown cause or diagnosis!


Doreen, our friend and fellow blogger from DoggiesandStuff, is the woman who is in this predicament. Two weeks ago, a rapidly-growing bump on Kiko’s ear led to surgical removal and a diagnosis of histiocytoma, a (thankfully) benign skin growth. So she ended the month of April knowing she had a bill incurred with the vet, and knew the amount once all the tests and surgery were complete.


She was not expecting what hit her home in May, however. It began with Kiko falling ill – heavy diarrhea and vomiting. Back to the vet, and back home armed with antibiotics. Although Kiko is beginning to recover, a strange pattern happened in the meantime.


First one (Kiko), then a second (Riley), then a third (Millie) dog have become ill – and the reason for all of the vomiting and diarrhea has yet to be determined. It’s wearing her out, both physically and emotionally. And financially. I would be beside myself, absolutely crazy, if I were in her position. So much to worry about! Dogs vomiting and runny messes unintentionally coming out all over the place. Cleaning up those “muddy-water-looking” messes. Trying to get the doggies outside to go, before the trip would be futile.


Repeatedly waking up in the middle of the night to the dogs crying or alerting you to yet another episode.


Running to the vet. Wondering what the heck is going on, what’s wrong, what you can do or maybe even questioning what you’ve done. Back to the vet. Tests and more tests. Bills mounting. The worry and fear growing, the insecurity of what to feed the dogs, if their food caused it in the first place, if there’s something you should be doing to prevent further illness. And still showing up for work, managing your blog, continuing your efforts in rescue…

Poor Doreen!! Now, mind you, she is a woman who is always, always out there doing for others. She cares passionately for dogs, their welfare and the environment. She has personally attended puppy mill sales in order to purchase the dogs and keep them away from the hands of further neglect and abuse. She works feverishly to help find homes for dogs that have been rescued.


Today she told me that she feels awful, that “I hate asking for help when there are so many others that need it more.” Well, Doreen, I’ll venture to say here that right now, you need it more! Without Doreen in good shape, who will care for her dogs, not to mention all the dogs who have been helped by her, and the ones to come?!



We all band together, in this animal-loving community of ours, whenever we learn of a need – and like we do all the time, help each other out as well as our furry friends. Today one of our own could use a little helping hand, hers are awfully busy right now. 


Please…if you can possibly donate – even small amounts add up! – write about it in your blog, spread the word through Facebook, Twitter, emails, any way you can…let’s make sure Doreen can concentrate on her babies, so they and she can get back to the very serious business she blesses our world (and dogs!) with every single day.

Let’s do whatever we can to help Doreen get all three of her babies back out in the yard playing – healthy and happy! We love you, Doreen!!


CindyLu and Kim xo