THE OLLIE & STEVE FUND
While the passing of all pets leaves a forever hole in the hearts of their guardians, everyone involved with Ollie and Steve, including Ollie and Steve themselves were actually fortunate.
Ollie's stent gave him an additional three "good as new" years and a total of five loving years. Had Christine and Bob been at a different stage in their lives, they may not have been able to afford such an expensive procedure to save him. Without the stent, Ollie's quality of life would have decreased quickly, likely leading to euthanasia as the only remaining decision within a few months of the original diagnosis.
Steve's situation was totally different. His prognosis was never good and was put into hospice care within days of the initial diagnosis. However, Rheta had just lost her father. Mike was away for work, totally unaware that Steve's time was short. Usually working from home, Steve and Mike shared an everyday bond.
"I spent more time with Steve than I did any living being...including Rheta! (who is a high school teacher and coach) If Steve had passed without me there, or even the day I got home, I would have forever worried that Steve felt abandoned by me in his final days. The treatment we were so fortunate to get gave Steve another two months with us. That may not seem like much, but it meant everything to us. He did end up being there for Rheta in a comforting way when she lost her dad. Then the time we all had together those last two months, I no longer worried about him feeling abandoned."
"We asked the vet on each shot, so three times per week, to please tell us when Steve's quality of life was to a point where we should stop. She promised she would. On his final vet visit, she told us it was time and that she'd come the next day to do it at our house. He could be on his favorite perch watching the birds with us there. But it is like he heard her. He passed naturally that night on my arm."
Realizing how fortunate everyone really was in two totally situations, mother and son decided to spearhead The Ollie and Steve Fund. The fund is designed to help pets and their guardians in two primary situations:
1) There is a good prognosis, however the guardians cannot afford the expense of the necessary procedure that needs to happen quickly. Many years of good life will be lost without immediate intervention.
2) There are other factors involved that justify giving the guardian and pet a bit more time together.
In Steve's case there were two factors that could be considered by The Ollie & Steve Fund which make it truly unique:
a) The loss of Rheta's father the same week
b) Mike's job leaving him with no time for closure with Steve. The ability to have closure should not be underestimated. Having closure immensely helps the human grieving process. We imagine it is just as important for our pets as well to have their final moments feeling loved, cared for, and safe with their guardians as they cross the Rainbow Bridge.
Even if this fund were to provide one month of treatment in a case such as Steve, the fund would have done it job. That one month would likely make a lifelong difference.
Ollie's stent gave him an additional three "good as new" years and a total of five loving years. Had Christine and Bob been at a different stage in their lives, they may not have been able to afford such an expensive procedure to save him. Without the stent, Ollie's quality of life would have decreased quickly, likely leading to euthanasia as the only remaining decision within a few months of the original diagnosis.
Steve's situation was totally different. His prognosis was never good and was put into hospice care within days of the initial diagnosis. However, Rheta had just lost her father. Mike was away for work, totally unaware that Steve's time was short. Usually working from home, Steve and Mike shared an everyday bond.
"I spent more time with Steve than I did any living being...including Rheta! (who is a high school teacher and coach) If Steve had passed without me there, or even the day I got home, I would have forever worried that Steve felt abandoned by me in his final days. The treatment we were so fortunate to get gave Steve another two months with us. That may not seem like much, but it meant everything to us. He did end up being there for Rheta in a comforting way when she lost her dad. Then the time we all had together those last two months, I no longer worried about him feeling abandoned."
"We asked the vet on each shot, so three times per week, to please tell us when Steve's quality of life was to a point where we should stop. She promised she would. On his final vet visit, she told us it was time and that she'd come the next day to do it at our house. He could be on his favorite perch watching the birds with us there. But it is like he heard her. He passed naturally that night on my arm."
Realizing how fortunate everyone really was in two totally situations, mother and son decided to spearhead The Ollie and Steve Fund. The fund is designed to help pets and their guardians in two primary situations:
1) There is a good prognosis, however the guardians cannot afford the expense of the necessary procedure that needs to happen quickly. Many years of good life will be lost without immediate intervention.
2) There are other factors involved that justify giving the guardian and pet a bit more time together.
In Steve's case there were two factors that could be considered by The Ollie & Steve Fund which make it truly unique:
a) The loss of Rheta's father the same week
b) Mike's job leaving him with no time for closure with Steve. The ability to have closure should not be underestimated. Having closure immensely helps the human grieving process. We imagine it is just as important for our pets as well to have their final moments feeling loved, cared for, and safe with their guardians as they cross the Rainbow Bridge.
Even if this fund were to provide one month of treatment in a case such as Steve, the fund would have done it job. That one month would likely make a lifelong difference.
