Meet Little Oscar


Oscar is a 12 year old chihuahua mix whose life was turned upside down last year.  It
started when his "mom's" mother died of liver failure this past year from hepatitis
C.  During the mother's three year battle with liver failure, the daughter, Oscar's
Mom (she's in her 30's), was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor.  This young woman
went through brain surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy all by herself, with
no one to turn to for financial assistance for living expenses or medical expenses,
let alone emotional support.  Oscar happily took the job of emotional supporter.

As you can imagine, serious illness AND the loss of a mother can be associated with
some pretty significant depression.  But, you know how comforting a little dog can
be to a human going through any type of emotional upheaval - Oscar's mom says he
was her angel and pulled her through it all.

Unfortunately, the story doesn't end here - it gets worse.  Oscar's mom just found out that her tumor is growing back again.  So
now she's looking at  more brain surgery, more radiation therapy and possibly chemo - and more possible depression --and all this
by herself.  On the very same day that she got the news that her brain tumor was back and she would need to start all over again,
she also found out that Oscar was very ill.  This young woman is facing all of this alone; her funds are tapped dry due to her own
medical expenses; she's facing yet another financially devasting round of treatment AND now Oscar is diagnosed with a horrible
tumor in his abdomen.  Oscar also had developed stones in his gall bladder and a large stone in his urinary bladder.

After hearing the story of this young woman's life, Oscar's vet just could not bring herself to put this adorable little guy to sleep
just before his owner faced her own trauma--she couldn't abandon this young woman nor Oscar and the very important job that
lies ahead of him.  So she asked if we could try to help Oscar find at least a part of the money needed to get him healthy.

I, personally, was so touched by this story.  To those of us who face almost daily episodes of people throwing away their pets - it's
so refreshing to hear of someone that cares so much about her pet.  This lady desperately needs AND desperately WANTS her
little dog to live  and I'm hoping that you can find it in your heart to help us help Little Oscar.

We've set up a separate fund for Oscar - all donations will be tax deductible.  If you send a check, be certain to write "for Little
Oscar" on the check.  We'll post the status of his fund each weekend.  Thanks to all of you in advance for allowing us to post this
plea for little Oscar.

I'm so happy that this owner didn't turn her back on Oscar - and, with all that she is going through - didn't even consider putting
him to sleep.  Can't we help her??  It also means so much to the people at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists - and these extremely
talented and compassionate people have helped numerous of our little guys become real dogs - Danny, Duncan and Brillo all
benefited from these highly-skilled surgeons.

Notes from Little Oscar's surgeon, Dr. Heidi Hottinger:

Oscar's tumor is a "Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma"--removal of the tumor should allow us to control his cancer for quite awhile,
definitely long enough for Oscar to see his "mom"  through her treatments.

The bladder stone will require a special diet to help prevent recurrence of crystals and stones in the future, but most dogs really
like the recommended dog foods.

The gall bladder stones were not associated with any ongoing liver disease, so they should not recur or cause problems again for
Oscar now that they are removed.

Oscar is recovering remarkably well.  The tumor was causing alot of significant metabolic changes in his body called "paraneoplastic
syndromes".  Now that the tumor is out, these changes are already normalizing within a few days after surgery.  Getting that very
large (10 cm) tumor out of there has made him feel better in MANY ways!

UPDATE:  April 11, 2003


Oscar(right) with his mom, Elizabeth, Dr. Hottinger and his
fur-brother.

Oscar's mom is so overwhelmed with the generousity of the dog-loving
world.  She just cannot believe how generous you have all been.

Little Oscar is the one in his mom's arms.  He's still feeling a bit
under the weather, but recovering nicely.  So nicely, in fact, that the
little poot bit me the day we took this picture.  I love those dogs with
spunk.