Tyson the Brave needs help- THS foster needs funds for chemo

My friend Rosanna has the biggest heart of anyone I know.  A long-term, palliative foster for the THS, she opens her heart and home to dogs that are sick and dying and gives them, in their final days, a lifetime of love, laughter, hugs and care all squished into whatever time they have left.  In so doing, her own heart breaks again and again because she is a woman who can only offer every piece of her heart to her latest sweet pup, knowing that it will be ripped to pieces once again.

Rosanna's latest love is a beautiful pup called Tyson.  Tyson was surrendered to the Toronto Humane Society with an advanced case of disseminated mast cell tumour (skin cancer).  Due to the severity of his cancer, it was initially determined that Tyson would be a palliative foster - and no one has a bigger heart than Rosanna and that is where he went to spend (what we thought) were his final days.

 However, Rosanna - like sweet Tyson - is a fighter. Unfamiliar with this type of cancer, Rosanna got to work exploring potential options and possible treatments.  To her delighted surprise, she was fortunate enough to get in touch with the Animal Cancer Centre at Guelph University - where a specialist suggested Rosanna bring him in.

With her wonderful daughter Tatiana and a referral from the THS, Rosanna brought this sweet boy to the University of Guelph where he was approved for life-saving cancer treatment.  It was established by Guelph specialists that while Tyson's cancer cannot be cured, they were hopeful a round of chemotherapy and various drugs could relieve his suffering and give him one to two years of GOOD quality life!  Right there and then, Rosanna paid for Tyson's first round - and the immediate result was astounding.

Guelph could not be more generous or  kind - the vet overseeing his care recommended 8 sessions of chemotherapy, with 4 once a week and the next 4 every other week. The estimated cost is projected at $2600-$3000 dollars in total.  This is actually a considerable reduction due to the willingness of the institution to reduce costs.

$3000 is a lot of money but this sweet pup, who has only had  year to enjoy his short life deserves his chance.  Rosanna recognized that this was a grave financial burden on the THS which is just finding its feet and starting to once again thrive.  So she and Tatiana have started a fundraising campaign for Tyson's treatment.  EVERY cent will go towards his treatment and both the fundraisers and the THS want to be completely above-board and transparent as possible.

PLEASE please please... if you can donate even a couple of dollars, please do. The link for the fundraiser is here, while Tyson's facebook page which will update and keep fans apprised of his progress is here.

As someone who has been intimately entwined for many years with the THS and for the past several years taken a step back, uncertain whether the direction this venerable institution was taking was one I could follow - I am SO encouraged at this clear message that EVERY dog deserves a chance.  Their willingness to take a chance with Tyson - to give this innocent, sweet dog a chance to live even a few years in relative comfort and health is so clearly in the spirit of its original benefactor that I believe his spirit is probably looking down in joy.

If you don't believe in miracles, then follow the journey of this beautiful dog.  5 days into his treatment and he walked to and from the park (Rosanna had carried him just a week or so ago)- and played FETCH.

Let's keep Tyson smiling!  Donate if you can - every dollar helps - and please, if you do or you can't - give the THS a call anyways- BECOME a member  or just drop them a note - tell them how pleased you are that it is fufilling the promises made and becoming the institution it was meant to be!

Phone: 416.392.2273

or EMAIL their Communications Department to let them know that the citizens of this City are so happy to see this kind of kindness and caring in a place that is now returning to its roots ... truly a place of refuge for all the animals in Toronto.

Thank you Rosanna and Tatiana! and Thank You THS!!