Help ease the stress of Fionuala’s cancer battle
Friends, neighbors. We have a community member in need. Fionuala is a Veteran, recently diagnosed with cancer which will require surgery and a hospital stay. The sticky wicket is that she has a special needs dog, Griffon, who needs to be taken care of while Fionuala is in the hospital. Griffon is a deeply important soul to Fionuala, and figuring out his care is paramount for her, so she can move on with treatment. The cost for this professional boarding is $2,635 pus tax per month. Fionuala does not have the resources to cover this cost, and it weighs on her heart, heavily. The situation being unresolved is an impediment to her getting the care she needs and deserves. Can you help us offset this cost?
Background
Allow me to introduce you to Griffon and his person, Fionuala. Griffon is a big, handsome boy! Griffon was bred to be a K9 member of a police squad. As a young German Shepherd Dog puppy, Griffon was initially in training as a K-9/ Protection Dog but his trainers decided he couldn't make the grade due to ignoring the handlers. As a result, Griffon was not advanced to service. The heartbreak is they were chosen to serve and if they don't advance they are hard to place, that is until a big-hearted, dedicated person adopts them. Griffon got lucky. Fionuala committed to caring for this large, trained, sometimes difficult, officer. Fionuala committed to giving him the life he richly deserves and she did. Griffon hit the lottery; he dines on the best meals, plays in her Sterling yard- enjoys his toy 'cobblestone', and watches the animals next door-it's a dog's life. One of those matches that were meant to be.
It is not surprising Fionuala adopted Griffon. She is a woman of strength, heart, and strong convictions. She is the living definition of good trouble- a strong woman with a huge heart who fights for those in need, and dogs like Griffon. Fionuala is also a US Army Veteran, serving in the 1970s. She is a true warrior. She has never stopped caring, serving and to this day she battles for others. Now she faces her own battle, and just as she has answered the call of duty for us, it is our turn to help her.
Fionuala is facing a very scary diagnosis, jaw cancer. After a struggle to even get a diagnosis her only alternative is major surgery at the VA. When I asked what I could do, she said 'nothing', typical Fionuala not wanting to impose. The truth is she is more distraught about what happens to Griffon when she is recovering from rebuilding her jaw, weaning her off a feeding tube, and treatments. He needs specialized boarding that can handle a large Shepherd, because he is very protective. Fortunately, a local business, Champion Kennels in Sterling, can do this! https://www.championkennel.com/overnight-care we all know, good care does not come cheap or another organization that trains K-9's will. It will cost upwards of $2,635 plus to cover Griffon's time at the kennel. This anticipates Griffon may stay a month. Fionuala's cancer requires she stay a couple weeks stay as her job is rebuilt, and treatment begins and then there is rehab, we honestly don't know how long Griffon will stay but if fundraising has met his needs the surplus if any will be sent to NEADS (a local organization that trains service dogs). As a community, we can remove this obstacle to Fionuala receiving care by donating money towards the cost of the kennel fees.
Let's lift Fionuala up, the way she does for others. She deserves it, Griffon deserves it. Every little bit helps and I can attest- knowing that people care is a great way to lift a spirit. Just what the Doctor ordered!