About the Campaign
Ella Fitzgerald is a 9-year-old female Goldendoodle with an aggressive, rapidly enlarging cyst/mass on her upper left jawbone. Ken says it’s now about the size of a golf ball, and the swelling is eating away a large portion of her upper jaw—to the point that her face is in danger of collapsing if it isn’t treated. Her veterinarian has warned that without intervention, this could be fatal.
Ken and Judith first noticed something wrong in early November when they were petting Ella and felt a hard swelling under her upper lip—“like a jawbreaker.” When they lifted her lip, they could see the gum looked descended and discolored. They hoped it might be a tooth problem, but within two days they were at the vet, and the urgency became clear. The vet scheduled exploratory surgery immediately to figure out exactly what they were dealing with and to plan the treatment Ella needs.
Letter from Ella’s vet (click to enlarge):
Ella has been part of Ken and Judith’s family since she was a puppy. They found her locally after noticing a sign for a litter of puppies and going to see “a bundle of little furry things.” Ella came bouncing up as if she were saying, “Take me!” She was playful, eager, and seemed to choose them first. They brought her home, and she’s been their bright, joyful companion ever since.
Ken and Judith are doing everything they can to save her. Ken has been working hard to raise funds: collecting help from friends, securing a grant, and even selling personal items to get Ella over halfway to her goal. But the remaining cost is still more than they can cover alone, and time matters. This condition is not something that can wait.
Finances are tight. Ken and Judith are both in their 70s. Ken still works part-time, juggling two jobs, one helping adults with disabilities find work, and another as a park ranger with New Hampshire State Parks. Judith is retired and cannot return to work due to medical issues. Even with Ken working, they still have a car payment and a fixed budget that doesn’t allow for a sudden, major veterinary surgery.
Ella is facing a serious, painful problem in one of the most sensitive areas of her body—her jaw and face. Her family is not asking for luxury care; they’re asking for the chance to stop this destruction and keep their dog alive.
Donations will help cover Ella’s surgical treatment and necessary veterinary care to address the jaw mass and prevent further damage. All donations are paid only to the veterinarian. Estimate below, click to enlarge:
