Fighting For Wyla; A Family’s Struggle to Keep Their Dog Alive & Their Plea for Help

Last week as I was browsing Facebook, I stumbled upon a Facebook page titled “Team Wyla” and as I read more, I felt my eyes well up with tears.  These are the types of stories that I have to share with my readers in hopes that they will share it, make a donation, post pawsitive messages for Wyla – anything you can do to help.

~Doreen

Wheelin at the Vet! Photo Courtesy Team Wyla.

Hello, my name is Wyla, I am a dog.

Over a year ago I was diagnosed with 2 inoperable brain tumors.  We were told I would live 3-5 months if my parents did nothing or perhaps gain a year or more of quality life if we did radiation. We learned of the brain tumor on a Monday and by Wednesday we were set to undergo 18 rounds of radiation 5 hours away at WSU in Pullman, WA.  My Mom and Dad were not going to drop me off and come get me 5 weeks later, no way! They knew it was important for me to leave the hospital each day and be with my parent(s). They each used their vacation time and took turns living with me while I had my treatments.

This time spent in Pullman, WA (where there is nothing but rolling hills to get lost in) turned out to be a blessing.  During Mom and Dad’s separate time with me I really communicated to them how I was handling my illness. I encouraged them to share in my perspective of the situation, which made it seem not so bad. Mom began taking pictures of our journey to remember the lessons I taught her and Dad, and to show that there is still fun to be had even when we are faced with something scary. They knew I would surely be a story to be shared; I was going to be a Miracle Dog…

Photo Courtesy of Team Wyla

Since that time in Pullman, I have had many challenges along the way. I have started to lose strength in my back end because we found more inoperable tumors in my spinal cord (now I am in a wheelchair). One of my brain tumors is growing which landed me in the hospital for 6 days due to cluster seizures, and continues to be on high seizure watch and have ones here and there. I developed a bladder infection in May and since my immune system is low, I have been getting one after another, 5 bacteria’s total! These infections are so dangerous to me, I have to have weekly blood and urine tests to monitor my levels. I am developing little sores on my side and elbows from laying down so much and I have a sore on my lip from biting it when I seizure and it isn’t healing that fast. I can’t get a break!

I am a very lucky dog because my parents always took the best care of me and were smart to start my own savings account when I was a baby… we thought we would have enough money to deal with my diagnosis and setbacks, but after a year, 5 weeks of radiation away from home, chemo therapy, 4 MRI’s, 6 days in the hospital, a years’ worth of prescriptions, doctor appointments, specialists, massage and water therapy once a week and all the extra things that I need to continue to be strong and happy, my savings fast ran out.

Floating in the Pool. Photo Courtesy of Team Wyla.

Mom and Dad always try to stay 3 months ahead of my monthly budget, but lately, they just cannot keep up with what is being paid out vs. what is coming in. An average week can cost at least $300-$400 L, where as earlier in my treatments; I was about $650 a month.

Mom and Dad have worked hard for me, working side jobs, having fundraiser garage sales with donated items, selling Team Wyla T-shirts, decreasing their needs, really being creative with how to “do it themselves”… but now after a year they are just tired, I am tired. They need a break, they work so hard for me but is just not enough anymore financially. There aren’t enough hours in the day to work to raise as much money as I need to continue the level of care I need. They are worried that so much time is spent figuring out how to ensure my quality of life remains intact, that their quality of life is suffering. They can see and feel that they are losing out on spending quality time with me, time to just lay with me, pet and love on me and do nothing but be in the moment. I value my walks (rolls) with Mom every morning, my time with Grandma while my parents work and my swims with Dad every night… but I want more down time with my family.

Photo Courtesy of Team Wyla.

Mom reached out to many organizations to see if there is any help available to us, but we were turned away time and time again, this made us sad, like the door being slammed in our face over and over. Where there is a will there is a way so we are trying to figure out a way to find our own help out there.

Photo Courtesy of Team Wyla.

We invite everyone to come join Team Wyla on Facebook. Team Wyla is where we share our journey in photographs with my very own commentary! Mom and Dad are not allowed to comment on my page and embarrass me!

Team Wyla is the perfect balance of all that is good in this world. Love from strangers who quickly become friends from all over the world, practicing their own faiths and beliefs toward me… I feel like all the good thoughts out there are funneled together and given to me as super concentrated amounts of pawsitive energy, this helps me stay strong, but also, helps Mom and Dad stay strong and know that friends support them and are even inspired by them. Team Wyla makes us feel like we are not alone in this fight.

It is really hard for my Mom and Dad to ask for help because they know what it feels like to have a generous heart with shallow pockets, so, first and foremost, know that to us love is the most important gift one can share with me! I am happy with just a “like” on Team Wyla.

But… if there was anyone out in the world that would like to help me rebuild my savings to help pay for my care than maybe I could help Mom and Dad not have to won’t worry so much. We can spend however much longer I have left in this world together, stress free just enjoying our time as our special little family of 3.

Photo Courtesy Of Team Wyla.

Donations can be sent via check, payable to my Mom, Jaime Dellachiara to: Team Wyla PO BOX 13413, Mill Creek, WA 98082. Or via credit card directly to Helping Hands Veterinary Clinic 425-672-4343 just say you want to support Team Wyla.

Thank you for your time in reading my plea for help for my family…

Sincerely,

Wyla <3

*A Note from Doreen – Team Wyla has T-Shirts they are selling.  To see more, visit Team Wyla’s FB Page HERE.