13-year-old Dachshund “Bullet” has been with his owner for over ten years and a patient with St. Francis Pet Care since 2012. Bullet was originally given to Ms. G by her daughter to help with feelings of loneliness. Ms. G lost her husband in 1995 followed by a difficult journey that included staying in a homeless community for several years. Having a constant friend quickly turned into a love story. “He is my companion animal and I am his companion human. He makes me take care of myself more because I want to be there for him.”
“He is my companion animal and I am his companion human.”
Ms. G is able to provide basic care for Bullet from her limited social security check. St. Francis Pet Care with support from PetSmart Charities has been able to provide veterinary care for Bullet’s dermatological and arthritis issues, as well as routine preventative care such as diet food, vaccines, annual exams, flea, and heartworm prevention. A year ago, Bullet developed a mast cell tumor on his rear leg. “I was so scared,” Ms. G says. However, when she learned that Bullet could receive life and limb-saving cancer treatment sponsored by PetSmart Charities and a generous medical donation from Virbac, she felt a great sense of relief. Ms. G says she considers herself blessed by the help she and Bullet received and believes that “the good Lord is with us, and He opened the doors every step of the way.”
Ms. G cannot say enough about her gratitude to Petsmart Charities and St. Francis Pet Care. After successful cancer treatment and recovery, Bullet is now on a weight-loss journey to further extend his time with his loving owner. He has lost 13% of his overall weight and is only 4.5 pounds from his weight loss goal. “Every time I look at him he makes my heart smile,” Ms. G says, and anyone can see that Bullet feels exactly the same way!
