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I will often ask many questions before I take on a case. Within reason, I try to maintain certain criteria. These are two reasons why I do this: so I can help as many as feasible and to spend the funds allotted to me wisely.

Anyone who knows me at all knows that if I could I’d save them all.

One criterion that I have is quality of life. Believe me, I am aware that the people who own these animals feel that no expense is too much, but doing what I do must be feasible.

I received a call from the owner of a blue heeler hound dog. I don’t recall her name but she was between 10 and 11 years old. She had been brought to Western Carolina and the owners had spent over $3,000 trying to find out what was wrong with her. No definitive answer was given to them except that she may have gotten a spider bite. The owners wished to do further tests at another specialist but were out of funds.

I asked how she was doing and was told she was coming along. I explained that even if we discover what was wrong, she is in the last year or two of her lifespan. I will pay for any antibiotics or meds to help keep her strong and viable so she can maintain a good quality of life in her remaining years. I have witnessed miracles and I pray that I’m wrong, in the meantime, I instructed them to call the vet’s office and I’ll see that she gets what she needs.

The second call came from a family I began helping two years ago. Blessings, their little poodle, is now 14 years old. This struggling family does all they can for their little girl who has congestive problems. On June 2, I paid for her last visit which consisted of an annual exam, some capsules and cough tabs. The fee for Blessings is not very much and the family does what they can to pay it back a little at a time.

This sweet little girl is doing just fine and all things considered, her quality of life is excellent. It pleases me greatly to somehow help Blessings and her loving family.

Before I close I’d like to make a shout-out to Dana Mayer, founder of Po’Kitties, member of my board among many other things, and as I’ve stated on more than one occasion, my hero. If you don’t know her look her up on the internet and if nothing else, give my dear friend a vote of confidence.

I personally want to say, “Thank you, Dana, for teaching me how it’s done.”

Thanks for listening.

Leonard Rizzo is the founder of Lennie’s Kids, a non-profit organization that helps sick and injured animals in the foothills, promotes animal welfare and works to find homes for pets.