Helping Mango Fight Cancer

Hello, lovers of furry critters big and small,

I want to introduce my St. Lucian princess, whom I met while on vacation in St. Lucia in May 2023. I was at the airport waiting for my flight back home to Toronto. I instantly felt a kinship with this gentle pup. I could see she had given birth in the last few months; she had an injured paw that healed incorrectly and had a limp. I happened to have a broken ankle at the time and was limping along with her. The circumstances of my trip left me hungry and a bit of a survivalist myself, not dissimilar to her. Foraging for mangos was my saving grace on that particular trip between meals; thus, her name was born.

A wonderful woman named Lara was working with the Bruno Project, supporting dogs to board the last summer flight to Toronto; the Bruno Project is an organization that spays/neuters, treats illness, and homes stray animals in St. Lucia (here is their link) The Bruno Project . Lara approached me and asked if I would like to take this beautiful Potcake home. I couldn’t believe I actually could! I didn’t know I would fall in love with this wonderful doggy that day, but I sure did! Lara introduced me to Doris, the creator and head of the Bruno Project, and we exchanged information.

From that day forward, I was part of a group chat for Mango to find her way home to me. Mango was treated for advanced heartworm and was spayed thanks to Doris and the Bruno Project. Doris fed her, ensured she had her vaccinations, took Mango into her home, and connected me with the supportive people I would need to connect with to have Mango arrive in Toronto. Carolyn was my Canadian contact who worked with BP to help Mango arrive in Toronto on September 11th, 2023. A special thank you again to Lara for accompanying her on that journey to Toronto and Carolyn for being a wealth of information and a consistent supporter to this day.

It was a long four-month wait for my beautiful lady to arrive, but as a 40-pound two-year-old, she could not fly in the cabin with passengers, and the temperature in cargo needed to be safe for travel.

This truly starts my Mango journey here in Toronto. Mango was very nervous about the sights and sounds of the city when she first arrived, and it was a slow process for her to feel comfortable in our home, with other dogs, and out in the community. In the last four months since her arrival, I have seen my lady's confidence grow, and her full personality start to shine. She now loves every dog she meets; she is thrilled to meet new people and children; she plays fully and completely and literally has a smile from ear to ear. Mango doesn’t chew anything in my home, and ONLY wants to go to the bathroom outside! Can you believe it? I have had some amazing dogs in my life, but chewing my belongings and house training has never been this easy! She truly is one of the most intelligent, kind, and sensitive creatures I have ever met. I love her with every part of my heart.

This is where the GoFundMe comes in…

When Mango arrived, she was spotting (bleeding) even though she had a spay in St. Lucia. We tried antibiotics, which made her feel better for a time, but when the course of medication was finished, it came right back. I was at the vet several times for many tests, x-rays, blood work, and ultrasounds. There was ultimately a diagnosis of Transmissible Venereal Tumour after almost $3,000 of veterinary exploration with no treatment after this investment. As a stray Potcake in St. Lucia, this diagnosis may be more recognizable there than it is in Toronto, hence the lengthy exploration here in Toronto.

I was referred to a veterinary hospital specializing in oncology and waited patiently for our appointment on Jan. 2nd, 2024. I am grateful to learn that this type of cancer is one of the more treatable varieties but involves several treatments. On average, five treatments can create a remission. It is possible that it can take more depending on how far it has spread in the body. The expected total with five treatments is $ 5,431.

Mango is my love and light, and I am prepared to do whatever needs to be done to support her treatment. Your help, in any way, big or small, will support me with her care. I am prepared to be transparent with donor expenditures so you can see where your donation is going. Your donation will support me in the cost of her diagnostic appointments or ongoing treatment. You are helping save the life of a beautiful being.

Thank you for being you.