Help Mend Pippa's Heart

Meet Pippa, my beautiful, caring, loyal companion whom has stood by me through thick and thin.

Pippa is a four legged, 10 year old Jack Russel Terrier owned by two doting animal lovers 'Melinda' and 'James'.

In brief, it has been advised by Pippa's Veterinarian Specialists that she undergo life changing surgery to mend her broken heart in the near future. Pippa's story is as follows..... Pippa is my beautiful, caring, loyal companion whom has stood by me through thick and thin.

How it all began............

2010 for me marked the start of a new beginning not only for me but my new best four-legged mate 'Pippa', Pippa was adopted at age 5 after her elderly owners moved into a retirement home. Only two weeks after a suicide attempt whilst battling with anorexia, I was drawn to an advert in the local newspaper, listing Pippa for adoption. Just as I had been previously plagued with an unbearable feeling of loneliness, now stood a dog who was desperate to find a new family to call her own.Armed with what was left in my bank account, I marched down to view Pippa and consequently she jumped into my car. This marked the beginning of something amazing.... Me and Pippa instantly hit it off, she loved long walks on the beach, rides in the car and doted on lots of cuddles. One major difference was Pippa LOVED her food. Slowly but surely Pippa taught me what it was like to truly enjoy food while also showing me what it was like to have a best mate, something that was foreign to me growing up. Growing up, I learnt from a young age not to trust anyone and as a result I learnt to keep to myself, Similar, Pippa was attacked by another dog as a young puppy so reasonably so, Pippa had a fear of other dogs. This connection is what I believe made us good for each other. Walking through the local botanical gardens or down at the beach,I was desperate to show Pippa that despite what had happened, not all dogs should be feared. Pippa was slowly introduced to other dogs from a far away distance (slowly getting to the point where she was no longer terrified in the proximity of other dogs). At the same time, Pippa gave me the confidence to get out and about. With her by my side, I no longer had a fear of people and slowly but surely I was introduced to my partner. Without Pippa, I believe I would not have had the courage to put myself out there as I had just done with her. As a result, Pippa was introduced to this amazing man who would step in as her new 'daddy'.

And now.......

Five years later, I am a happy, healthy 24 year old in a loving relationship, in my final year of a Psychology Degree with a passion in 'animal assisted therapy' and it is thanks to Pippa that I have become who I am today. May 2015 however bought us some horrible news, after presenting with difficulty breathing Pippa under went tests which revealed she was in right-sided heart failure due to a build up of fluid in Pippa's pericardium (a thin sac that protects the heart). It was advised that a chest drain take place to remove the excess fluid which provided Pippa with two months relief. Unfortunately the fluid has again built up and Pippa is now in having her second chest drain. Pippa's medical specialist at VSG (an awesome vet clinic by the way) has advised that our next option is surgery to place a small hole in her pericardium which will act as a natural drainage system for when fluid starts to build around her heart hopefully giving her long term relief and extending her quality and quantity of life. Pippa's specialists are confident that Pippa can continue to have a great quality life with the aide of treatment and other tests have shown that apart from her heart, Pippa is in great health. To date Pippa's medical bills relating to her heart failure has reached over $5000 and with the pending possibility of surgery, we are now seeking the help of kind, generous people to donate to her life saving medical treatment. To date my amazing partner has managed to fund Pippa's care but as the bill looks to grow, we are biting the bullet and asking for help. Pippa once saved me, and now it is my turn to repay the favor. If anyone is able to donate, we will be internally grateful, no matter how little or how much, every cent will go towards extending the quality of my little mates life. Donations can be made by following the link: http://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/pippasheart