The Last Update To Our Fundraising Website…

In Loving Memory Of Zeus Crowley

We are going to make a difference in many ways, thanks to all of you who have supported our Fundraiser! I am sending an update to everyone to let you know that the funds from the fundraiser are in and where and how they have been distributed. Our total funds raised were $2818.00! I am amazed that we reached this amount and my heart is warmed by the love for animals that so many wonderful people have shown! I would like to thank you again for all of the help we received in our Quest to help our boy Zeus. Even though his battle has come to an end, we can still make a difference in one or more animal’s lives and we will be doing so in memory of Zeus!

I have contacted the person who paid for the testing Zeus had done at the beginning of September and let her know that Zeus lost his battle with his rare genetic disorder. She was sad to hear of his passing and was sorry that nothing more could have been done for him. I asked her if she would allow us to reimburse her some or all of the cost for the tests that she covered ($800.00), she said she wouldn’t hear of it and wanted it to be donated along with whatever was left over after all of Zeus’ medical bills were taken care of. Again, I was amazed at the generosity so many of you have shown for our cause!

Before I go into detail about how and where our funds were distributed, I would like to tell you a short story about a dog named Buddy. Zeus met Buddy when he was only 7 weeks old and they were fast friends. Because Buddy was a small dog and Zeus was an 11 pound puppy, they were a good match when they first met and were about the same size. Buddy was 7 years old when he met Zeus and was not too sure what to think of the bear cub looking puppy we were calling Zeus. Buddy was a good sport though and didn’t get too mad at Zeus for chewing on him and wanting to play with him. I remember dropping Zeus’ leash and laughing when Buddy picked up the end I was holding and proceeded to lead Zeus on a walk around his yard, it seemed like Buddy was showing Zeus the ropes and his home. Zeus happily followed Buddy around paying special attention to where all the good peeing spots where that Buddy was showing him. This was the day that would start a good friendship between two great dogs. From this day on, Zeus and Buddy would be good friends. Buddy would come to Zeus’ birthday parties to share in the celebration and Zeus would join us at Buddy’s house for Fourth of July BBQ’s. They always had a great time and enjoyed each other’s company.

Buddy’s mom heard the news about how Zeus’ condition had worsened and called me right away. She said she was so sorry and wanted to know if we would like her to meet us at Healthy Paws when we put him to sleep. She wanted to be there for us in our time of need and sorrow to support us in any way she could, even if all she could do was to help us emotionally. I told her that Craig and I would rather it just be us, but thanked her for her kindness. She then started telling me that Buddy wasn’t doing so well either. She had taken him in to Healthy Paws the week before and they had run tests on Buddy and found he was having trouble with his kidneys. She said they really didn’t have the money for the medication and further testing that he needed. She wasn’t sure how she was going to pay for the care he needed. She was pretty upset and I remember the sinking feeling in my heart when we found out Zeus had this rare genetic disorder and the doctors told me the cost of everything he needed. I knew this was how Buddy’s mom was feeling at that exact moment. It is a feeling of helplessness and sadness, wanting to help someone you love and not having the resources to do so. I knew we would have funds left after Zeus’ medical bills were paid since we were soon saying our last goodbyes to him. I also knew these funds were to help another animal in need if they couldn’t be used to help Zeus. Who better to help than Buddy, a good friend of Zeus’? I know Zeus would have wanted us to help his friend just as Buddy’s mom helped us with our fundraising efforts and our event at Putting Edge. Since I hadn’t closed the fundraiser out yet at that time and hadn’t crunched the numbers yet, I told her we could help her with $500.00 of Buddy’s vet bills out of the fund raiser money once we received the funds. She was so grateful for our help she started sobbing as she thanked me. Even though she was crying, I could hear the relief in her voice. I am glad I could help relieve some of the stress and anguish she was feeling. I was amazed at the compassion she showed by offering to be there for us during our heartbreaking moment of letting Zeus go, when Buddy was so sick and she was trying to help him. She was willing to put her needs and loved ones aside to help us through our difficult time. She understood that we wanted to be alone with Zeus and I told her that our appointment to say goodbye to him would be at 5pm that day. She told me if we changed our mind to call her and she would meet us at Healthy Paws, she also told me to give Zeus a kiss for her and to tell him that Buddy said goodbye. Further testing was done on Buddy and he was put on medication. Unfortunately, these medications did not work because Buddy had stopped eating and he went into kidney failure. Out of love, Buddy’s mom took him to Healthy Paws three days after Zeus passed away to end Buddy’s suffering. Zeus would have wanted us to help Buddy in any way we could and I feel we did that. Even though Buddy did not make it, he was worth the try just like Zeus was. We did help Buddy by not letting him suffer and freeing him from the pain he was in. We also helped Buddy’s family to have peace of mind that they did everything they could for their loyal companion. I would like to believe Zeus was waiting for Buddy at the rainbow bridge when he arrived and now Zeus is showing Buddy the ropes and the best places to play and roll in the grass. They were good friends in life and are still good friends in death. They can both rest in peace together now.

Here is a detailed list of the funds, it includes how and where they were distributed.

• Total fundraiser earnings: $2,818.00
• The cost of using the Giveforward website was 7% of the total amount raised.
• After this website cost our funds amounted to $2,631.24
• We helped Buddy and his family with $500.00
• Cahill’s vet bill for Zeus in the amount of $671.00 was paid
• Healthy Paws vet bill for Zeus in the amount of $395.00 was paid
• A donation was made to Dr. Steven Mantay at Healthy Paws in the amount of $885.00
• $180.24 is set aside for a special urn for Zeus who was a special boy.

(Craig and I will be choosing one this weekend)

I picked up Zeus’ remains when I stopped at Healthy Paws to pay his vet bill and drop off the donation.  Zeus will always remain in our hearts and be remembered for the joy and love he brought to our family and home. His final resting place will be here with his family where he belongs.

Again I would like to thank each of you for the help, compassion, support, and kindness that you showed in our efforts to save Zeus. Zeus would not have been with us as long as he was if it hadn’t been for each one of you. Your support gave our family hope and showed us that anything is possible if you reach out to people. I am glad we did not give up when it looked like we were at a dead end, it gave us piece of mind that we were able to do everything we could to help Zeus. No stone was left unturned and there is no doubt in my mind that he was loved by many. Not only did each of you help Zeus, but together we helped Buddy and we are going to help others who are in need of medical attention. I know Dr. Steven Mantay will make sure our donation is put to good use; he is a great doctor and dose extensive work with rescue organizations along with rescuing many animals himself.

I have learned a few valuable lessons in the process all of this. The first and most important is to never take the ones you love for granted, cherish each moment you have with them because they can be taken from you at any moment. We raised enough to cover any medical expenses Zeus needed, but fate had a different plan in mind and all the money in the world wouldn’t have changed that. I am glad I cherished all of our moments we had together while he was here because now I have many memories to take out and replay when I am missing him. Another lesson learned is that even when things look impossible; don’t give up because if it is something you really want and believe in, if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything and if you keep trying you will find a way. I never would have dreamed that we would have been able to raise enough to help Zeus. I had no idea what I was going to do and how I was going to come up with the funds needed for his care. I made the decision to put 100% of my effort into helping my favorite dog and I believe I accomplished what I set out to do! Because of my efforts, I reached out to all of you and many others who helped give Zeus 6 months of life that he wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. Never underestimate the power of determination and never underestimate the power of giving. What a great feeling it is, helping someone who needs it. To know that by giving just a little we can take away someone’s pain and anguish, giving them peace of mind, is a great feeling. We need to keep providing these acts of kindness to make our world a better place. Thank you for helping us and we can now pass your help along to help others who need it.

Thank you from the bottom of or hearts!

P.S. If you scroll down, you will find the letter that I wrote to Dr. Steven Mantay enclosed with the donation that I dropped off at Healthy Paws vet, I thought you might like to read it. Dr. Mantay was also with Craig and I when Zeus left us on October 12, 2012. I am glad Dr. Steve was the one to bring Zeus’ pain and suffering to an end because Zeus loved him dearly and trusted in him so much.

October 27, 2012

Dear Dr. Steve, Dr. Mike, and staff,

    Zeus’s life came to an end on October 12, 2012; it was a sad day for us and one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make. Zeus was a big part of our family and was loved dearly; he brought so much joy and love to us and our home over the last six and a half years! He was gentle, loyal, loving, and dedicated to his family. As you all know, he loved everyone who treated him with respect and love. He will always hold a special place in our hearts that no other could ever fill; my only hope is that he knew how much he was loved and how hard we fought to help him battle this disease. Although we did everything we could to help fight the terrible disease he had, fate could not be swayed.

    Craig and I would like to thank each and every one of you for the wonderful care you gave to our sweet boy. Zeus loved visiting your office and didn’t care what you had to do to him when he was there, he had a special bond with each of you and loved it when he got to see you and get attention from you. He would get so excited whenever he had an appointment and would wait at our front door for a half an hour before we had to leave the house. This tells me you treated him well and kindly even when my husband or I were not present. It really means a lot to know he was in such good hands and that he was taken care of so well when he was at your office and under your care. Complete trust is a hard thing to earn and when it came to Zeus, we trusted you 100% in everything you did for him, from your care, to your medical decisions, the advice you gave, and the recommendations you made. You always had his best interest in mind and you truly cared about his wellbeing. These things meant the world to us over the last few years and made losing him a little less difficult. Because of the trust we have in you and your medical knowledge, along with the good advice you have given us, we have no doubts and know that we made the right decision of letting him go. We didn’t want Zeus to suffer and we know you felt the same way because you have always had his best interest in mind.

    We would also like to thank you for all you have done for us; you have worked with us when our finances were tight and made sure that the health of Zeus and Lucky always came first. They never had to go without medical care because of financial reasons and I can’t begin to tell you what that has meant to us. I can tell you though that you chose your profession for the right reasons and that you are making a big difference in the lives of many people and animals, you sure made a difference in ours and in Zeus’ life. Because of your love for animals, your knowledge, and your excellent treatment, I recommend your office to everyone I know and I will continue to do so. You have shown professionalism, compassion, kindness, understanding, and love in more ways than you know over the last few years. I don’t know what we would have done without you and I don’t think Zeus would have been with us as long as he was if each of you had not been a part of his life.

    As you know, I started a fundraiser for Zeus when we found out he had this rare genetic disorder and needed extensive veterinary care. I am proud to say that we have raised $2,632.00! Unfortunately, no amount of money would have been able to help Zeus and give him a long, healthy, pain free life. We do have vet bills of his to take care of out of these funds, but we will have $885.00 left over. I am enclosing a check in the amount of $885.00 and would like it to be used for another animal that is in need of medical care. I would like to think that since we couldn’t save our wonderful boy Zeus, maybe we can help to save another in need of assistance, in memory of Zeus. We know you will put these funds to good use and help someone who really needs it.

    We are still missing Zeus terribly and our home feels quite empty and quiet. Lucky is also missing him and still looks for him from time to time. Eventually we will add another dog to our family, but for now, we still have heavy hearts and are feeling the heavy loss that has come with saying goodbye to Zeus. I will still be bringing Lucky in for all of his medical needs in the future, although we may not see you as often because he is much healthier than Zeus was. Lucky will also be visiting your facility for daycare, I think it will do him good to get out of the house and be around other dogs. I do look forward to a long future of great care with you for all of our pets! Thank you for being such wonderful doctors and giving the best care to your patients!

     Thank you for your compassion and kindness,

                       Melissa and Craig

P.s. I have enclosed a poem that I have written about Zeus, I thought you might like to read it. I am also enclosing a photograph of Zeus for you that was taken about a month before he passed away. He looks so happy in this photo and this is how I will always remember him to be.

Paw Prints on My Heart

You left paw prints on my heart

My gentle, loyal friend, right from the start

Your life so short and time going by so fast

I have never loved a dog like I have you in the past

You will hold a special place in my heart forever and always

I did my best to make the time you had left, your best days

You have made me smile, you have made me laugh

At the thought of losing you, my heart breaks in half

You have made me proud and my love for you will forever be

Thank you for being so loyal and loving me

Your brown eyes were so sweet and true,

I hope you know how much I love you

I have done everything I could to keep you here with me

But the time for goodbye has finally come; I have to set you free

I can’t make you suffer, not a single day,

More than you know, I wish you could stay

Although, my heart is at ease knowing you will go with dignity

I couldn’t be selfish, just to keep you here with me…

I remember the day I brought you home

A tiny bundle of energy, just wanting to roam

You were so cute and wanted to play

What I wouldn’t give for us to play for one last day

I will forever miss your heavy head in my lap,

Now that you are gone, my heart will forever have an endless gap

The way your stub would wag, your whole back end seemed to sway

You always knew how to make me feel better and brighten my day

Your medical care was expensive

The tests you needed were extensive

But don’t you worry my dear, sweet friend

You were worth it, even in the end

Some say you were just a dog, but to me, you were so much more

You have touched my soul at its very core

Without you here I feel so alone

Even though we tried our best, your soul has flown

To a place far, far, away

For you and I to meet again some day

I tried to help you fight this terrible disease

So you could receive treatments and from your pain, you could be freed

I wanted you to have many more happy days

So you could be a dog and run and play

But, fate has a mind of its own and has taken you away

I felt my heart breaking and could not find the words to say

How much you meant to us in so many ways,

What I would give for just one more single day

As we said our goodbyes, I was reduced to tears

I thank you for the wonderful memories over the last six years

We told you we loved you and what a good boy you were

I kissed your head and buried my face in your fur

You kissed our faces to show your love,

I know your loving eyes will watch over us from above

As you took your last breath, my hand over your chest

I felt your last heartbeat, something I will never forget

I have done everything I could, for you, I had to try

When I think about you, I can’t help but to cry

I miss you so much, more than you could ever know,

But I am so grateful I had the chance to watch you grow

I love you now, and loved you through the end

Thank you for being such a special friend

You left paw prints on my heart

I will hold them close now that we have had to part

Thank you for all the joy you have given me

You have been a wonderful dog and always will be

I am glad you are at peace and finally free

bY: Melissa

Quick Update…

Just a quick update on Zeus…. I took him to Healthy Paws to see Dr. Mantay because he has been showing more side effects from the predisone in the last ten days due to the higher dose. These side effects include a distended belly, muscle wasting, and he has had No energy at all. I wanted to be sure these things were not serrious or life threatning and they are not according to Dr. Mantay. His Dr. from Flatrock, Dr. Grear called with bloodwork results while Dr. Mantay was examiining Zeus, which was great because they discussed his side effects and test results along with medications. I feel much better now that I had him checked out. The latest bloodwork showed that the immune disease is not what is causing his thyroid to be low, which is good and means he may not have to be on thyroid medication for the rest of his life. It will have to be monitored, but eventually may improve enough to take him off the thyroid medication at some point in the future. Dr. Mantay sent me home with one thyroid medication today after talking with the other Dr. and we started Zeus on it this evening. The other thyroid medication has to be ordered. Also, Dr. Grear (the one in Flatrock) is cutting his prednisone dose to 40mg. once daily instead of twice daily. She is also ordering an immune depressant drug to start him on in the next two weeks and the plan is to get him off of the prednisone completely and use this other drug instead. This other drug (I will let you know the name of it when I get it) has less side effects and is safer than the prednisone. As far as I underdstand, the test results have shown no other issues other than the immune disease attacking his joints, which is why she is able to change his medications. All of the tests had to be run to make sure there wasn’t anything else going on. If there was another issue, certian medications could have been really harmful to him, so she had to make sure before putting him on medication other than the presnisone. We have an appointment with Dr. Grear in Flatrock on Saturday, October 20 at noon, so I should get more information then along with his other medications. Dr. Mantay did say today that if we start the Thyroid medication that he gave us today, this evening and start the lower dose of prednisone in the morning tomorrow, that Zeus should perk up within the next week or so and have more energy. That’s all the info I have for now, I will update all of you again after our appointment on the 20th. If you have any questions or advice, please feel free to e-mail me at:

http://www.melissacrowley66@att.net

Thank you for your support,

Melissa

Test Results…

I spoke with Dr. Grear last evening reguarding Zeus’ test results. All of the results are in and they all confirm arthritis. The digital x-rays showed that his arthritis is moderate and they also showed joint lesions and joint degeneration. The joint taps suggest an auto immune desease, but are inconclusive because we cannot get him off of the prednisone for two full weeks (Without prednisone, he cannot walk after 3 days). Because he was off the prednisone for only 24 hours before the joint taps were done, the prednisone masked some of the results. Dr. Grear did say that his blood work was very telling though and there are a few things suggesting auto immune disease. She did not see any damaging sings from the prednisone in his blood work results. The biggest clue that his blood work showed is that his thyroid levels are really low, she said they are on the low side of low. His thyroid has pretty much bottomed out, which would explain whey he has not had much energy and has been sleeping a lot lately. Also, when the thyroid is this low, the body cannot matabolize medication properly, making the medication not as effective as it should be. Dr. Grear wants to run a more detailed blood panel for his thyroid and it should show the autoimmune component that is causing his thyroid to be so low. His appointment for this blood panel is this Saturday at noon. Once she gets these results back, she wants to start him on thyroid medication and re check it in 4-6 weeks. Zeus has been limping for about the last two weeks, even while being on the prednisone. Dr. Grear said that the 20mg a day that he is on, is not enough to supress his immune system and is a really low dose for his size. Before putting him on an immune depressent drug she wants to increase his prednisone to a dose that would fully supress his immune system to see if his lameness goes away completely. She wants to increase his dose to 80mg a day for one week. If the lameness competely goes away then she will be sure that it is the autoimmune disease that is causing all of his symptoms. After a week of the higher dose of prednisone, she will talk to me again and will most likely start him on an immune depressent drug and begin weaning him off the prednisone, hopefully for good. I will post any updates and info as soon as I get get it from the doctor. I will also keep you posted this week about how he is doing on the higher dose of the prednisone.

Tests Are Done!!!!!

My sweet boy!

Zeus had his tests done yesterday! The vet did digital x-rays of his limbs and spine and joint taps on 5 or six of his joints. The joints were tapped with a needle and joint fluid was extracted and sent to the lab, these joints have little patches where his hair was shaved so they could see the joints better while doing the procedure. He looks a little funny with little squares of no hair on his knees, elbows, and wrists! We droped him off in the morning and picked him up around 6pm. He was a little groggy, but was doing well and even ate his dinner around 8pm last night. Dr. Grear said the results should be back within 7 bussiness days and once she gets those, she can begin a treatment plan.

I had a wonderfully generous person contact me a few weeks ago wanting to cover all of Zeus’ medical expences. She did pay for all of the testing he had done yesterday. I don’t know yet how much of his treatments she wants to cover for us. (Treatments include medications and maybe even a stem cell implantation surgery costing $3000. The stem cell procedure lasts about 2-3 years). Once the test results come back, Zeus will be put on medication, if that fails, he will need the stem cell. I don’t know how long the medications will take to see if they are working or not and I don’t know if there are different medications we can try either yet. I am still raising funds for the stem cell until I know for sure that Zeus’ “guardian angel” wants to cover that too if he needs it. I will keep all of you posted and up to date with Zeus’ test results, treatments, and how he is doing.

I can’t believe we were finally able to have these tests done, a few short months ago, they seemed so out of reach…. Thanks to a very giving person, his test are done and we are waiting for the results. Thanks to all of you who have also helped in a big way by contributing, and sharing his fundraising information, we almost have enough for his stem cell surgery if he needs it and we have to use the funds we have raised! If this special person decides to pay for that if Zeus needs it, then the funds you have helped raise will go to help another animal, maybe even more than one who needs it!

Thank you all for your help and concern for our boy Zeus!

Tests Are Scheduled!!!!!

Zeus loved his new Doctor today and so did we!

Home from our vet appointment that Zeus had this morning…. We really like this Doctor, she is very knowledgable in the genetic disorder that Zeus has and she feels she can help him. She sent us home with two medications and we are taking Zeus back on Thursday for his tests. Yay! The Dr already has a few treatment plans in mind depending on what the tests show. So glad we found her, I really think she is wanting to do what is best for Zeus! Now, we just have to wait until Thursday…..

Vet Appointment Today…

Wish us luck today!

My husband Craig and I are taking Zeus to a vet in Flatrock today for another opinion…. His appointment is at 10 am and the doctor will be giving him an exam and her opinion on what treatments would work best for him. We are hoping to start a test and treatment plan soon, although I am really worried about taking him off the Prednisone. I hope we like this doctor and her treatment options for Zeus (this doctor had a dog of her own with this same rare genetic dissorder except it was more severe than Zeus’)….. I will be glad when we can get him on his way to being a healthy boy again….. Thanks everyone who pitched in to make this possible! I will post an update when we get home to let everyone know how it went and what she said.

Please help us save Zeus!!!!

Our Rottweiler Zeus

Our wonderful, loving 6 year old Rottweiler Zeus, who has been with us since he was 7weeks old, was diagnosed this past May with a rare genetic disorder called Immune-Mediated Polyarthrisis. Sadly, an allergic reaction to antibiotics has caused his immune system to start attacking his joints causing him severe pain and making it very difficult for him to walk. Usually prednisone is used to control this disease because it depresses the immune system and at first is administered in a high dose, then lowered over a few months to a perminate low dose, administered every other day. Prednisone, when taken in high doses is not a good medication to be used long term because it can cause serious medical issues such as diabetes and Cushing’s disease among many other dangerous health issues. Zeus has been on a high dose of prednisone since the end of May and every time we try to lower his dose  to every other day, he relapses causing his doctors to believe there is another underlying issue along with the Immune-Mediated Pollyarthritis. Proper testing such as digital x-rays and joint taps, are extremely expensive, but also extremely important so that Zeus can receive proper treatment.

At this time, because we do not have the funds, we are keeping Zeus comfortable with a high dose of prednisone, which is the only thing that seems to be controlling his pain and enabling him to walk. With your help, we are hoping to raise enough money for these extensive tests and the treatment needed for him to live a happy, healthy, long life. I have started a fundraiser in hopes to raise enough money for his tests and proper treatment. I just can’t bare to sit back and wait until the day comes to put him down without doing everything I can to try to help and save him. I will be completely heartbroken if we lose him and am asking for your help, please visit our fundraising page at www.giveforward.com/SavingZeus and make a donation today.

If  Zues’ condition worsens and he passes away before we raise the funds for him, or if we do not raise enough for his tests and treatment, please know that the proceeds of this fundraiser will be donated to his veterinarian Dr. Steven Mantay, owner of Healthy Paws Veterinary Medical Center in Westland, Mi. to help another animal in desperate need of medical attention. But, please help us raise enough money to help Zeus before it is too late for him!

To make donations, give hugs, get updates, watch our progress, and to get information about upcoming events please check our fundraising page often at www.giveforward.com/SavingZeus, also join our group on face book called Saving Zeus where you can see posts and share comments .

Thank you for your support!

Melissa