Gemi's Surgery Went Wonderfully!

Hi Dawgs!

We won't talk about the fact that we spent the whole day at Dog Pad on Wednesday. Or the fact that we didn't get to go to Pet Crossing with dogmom. Or the fact that dogmom spent the day with Gemi and Randi instead of with us. Or even the fact that she forgot about us at Dog Pad.

Yup... she forgot to come pick us up. Completely. She called Tory after we were all fed and tucked in for the night. Can you believe it?

Anypaws. We're not talking about that today. 'Cuz we know she was helping Gemi and Randi with Gemi's mouth surgery.

And since we've both gone through several mouth surgeries, we know what Gemi was going through. And how Randi was nervous. So it was good that dogmom was there to help them.

What we wanted to talk about today is that dogmom said that Gemi's surgery went really well! She's a little (literally!) trouper.

She had to have 14 twoofers pulled. All in the front. All her top front teeth, including her canine fangs. And all her little bottom teeth in the front.

She got to keep her bottom canine teeth. (Whole ones... not half of them like Opie and me.) And she got to keep all of the other teeth in the sides and the back that she had. We say it that way because she actually had nine teeth that were missing from her little mouth that had never developed. Good thing, cuz her mouth was so small she probably would have had to had them pulled, too.

Anypaws. Gemi still has 19 teeth so she will be able to play and look pretty and, more importantly, eat crunchy food and treats after her mouth heals.

We think she's beautiful... even with those missing teeth and her mouth a little swollen after surgery...

What do you think?

Gemi's Surgery is Wednesday!

Hi dawgs! We want to thank all the DogsAyeView blog readers who donated money and good wishes to Gemi and Randi so that Gemi can get her mouth fixed and not be in pain any more. Her surgery was scheduled for August 6th... but it got moved ahead and it will be tomorrow (today if you're reading this on Wednesday...)!!!

So, dogmom said that she'll be busy at Pet Crossing with Gemi and Randi and their mom and dad. We're gonna go to Dog Pad for the day... dogmom thinks it will make us forget that Gemi's having her surgery. We think that's just foolishness. We'll just think of Gemi while we're playing with Tory.

Dogmom said she'll try to post for us while we're at Dog Pad... or Randi might try to post on the IMOM.org web site during the day. It all depends on how things are going. (Not posting doesn't necessarily mean bad news... it just means they're busy keeping Gemi safe and calm.)

So, everydog, put your paws together and say some puppy prayers for Gemi, Randi and the Raymonds that everything goes smoothly.

Wuf Ya!

UPDATE! Gemi's at "All Funds Raised" !!!

HI everydog!

We just heard the news that the fundraising through IMOM.org has Gemi's surgery cost at the "All Funds Raised" level! This means that Randi can schedule the surgery!!! Wonderful animal angels across the world (including some DogsAyeView readers!) donated money for Gemi's surgery.

The funds will pay the low estimate for the surgery. Hopefully, the costs won't be more than that! So put your paws together that that is the case!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! to everyone from Dogs' Aye View who sent some monies in!

If you missed Gemi's fundraiser and you still feel compelled to donate, IMOM.org is dedicated to removing the financial burden that keeps pets in pain or in need of medical attention from getting the care that they need. This weekend is an excellent example of the work that they do...

Gemi has waited almost a year for Randi to raise the funds for her surgery. Randi, who single-handedly works two jobs to live with and care for her ailing parents, had managed to raise about $800 in that time.

This weekend - with your help - IMOM.org raised $1200 to get to the estimated $2000 cost for the surgery! That is totally PAWSOME, don't you think? We do.

We just have one more request.

Would everyone who reads this and has a blog or a Web site please put up a link to IMOM.org on their site? We've got to help spread the word about this fantastic volunteer-run organization! For 10 years, they've been helping to pay for surgery, medical care or medications for animals that wouldn't get it otherwise.

Oh yeah... Randi will be putting updates on IMOM.org regarding the status of Gemi's surgery -when it will be and how it went - so you can stay posted if you want!

Wuf Ya!

Last Day for Matching Funds for Gemi!

We hope everydog and everyhuman are having a wonderful weekend!

Today is the last day for matching funds for Gemi's surgery fund. We still need $257 to get her surgery funded... with Lisa's generous match at IMOM.org... we only need $138 in actual donations. We would absolutely love it if Gemi could get in for her surgery next week, wouldn't that be pawsome?

If you can spare a few dollars, today would be the day. Dogmom didn't take us for our regular Sunday morning Caribou and newspaper run this morning (we get dog biscuits from the barista!) ... said she's donating that money to Gemi today.

It's ok, though... dogmom still gave us a cookie this morning!

Oh, yeah... she said we have to tell you that after Opie barfed up all the M&M's he was fine. No adverse effects other than being hungry again.

Wuf Ya!

KWC Keen Eyes - Double Dates

Ok. Ok.

So, while we were busy eating dogmom's chocolate that she bought for the people at Pet Crossing for taking such good care of us at our annual exams (we'll post about that soon)... the Key West Collies were actually reading the posts about Gemi and the updates on IMOM.org.

Know what they found out? Huh? Do Ya?

Well, being the perfect Collies that they are, they found out that any monies donated for Gemi's surgery through IMOM.org's donation page here (put "GF-Gemi Raymond" in your note/memo line) will be matched through SATURDAY! Not just one day like dogmom thought. But all day yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Double your donation! Every dollar helps!

Thanks!!!

July 4th Chocolate!

This post will have to be short. Dogmom's mumbling something about thinkin' we were supposed to be smart dogs... something about not learning our lesson... something about wondering what she's gonna do with us.

That, and we're relegated back to our crates... something about her not liking the brown lakes we left on the hallway, bathroom and kitchen floors. It's all her fault. If she didn't make us drink that yucky bubbly syrup, we wouldn't have spat up all the chocolate on the floor... we would have kept it in our tummies!

Something about re-reading here and here and here... and finally, especially here...

Dogmom here... While I went to do the boarding shift at Pet Crossing this morning, Opie and Gomer decided to help themselves to the human treats on top of the fridge - a large bag of M&Ms, some potato chips was as far as they got before I arrived home two hours later. I called our vet at home and induced vomiting on both dogs since I didn't know who ate how much. Gomer vomited breakfast... Opie gave me breakfast, the remains of both the inside and packaging for a large bag of M&Ms and a handful of undigested potato chips.

Both the boyz are snoozing on the living room floor. Heart rates and respiration rates normal. None the worse for wear, thank dog.

We're still trying to help raise funds for Gemi's surgery. (See posts from the last few days.) Randi is really special to us. We would not be asking for help if my job at the newspaper had not been downsized in April. Any support - financial, moral, prayer or thoughts - is vastly appreciated. If you can spare a few dollars, all funds donated through IMOM.org this weekend will be matched - so it's like you're giving double! You can donate through IMOM here. Don't forget to note "GF - Gemi Raymond" on your donation!

Wuf Ya!
DogMom

More Information about Gemi

Hi dawgs!

I got approval to post links to Gemi's content pages on IMOM.org, who is also helping with fundraising to enable Gemi to get her surgery. If you donate through IMOM.org, the donation may be tax deductible. You can use a number of different payment methods, too. Be sure to note "GF-Gemi Raymond" in your payment note field.

First, a little background on IMOM.org. They are a wonderful organization, completely run by volunteers, that raises and provides funds for animals that need emergency treatment, surgery or chronic-care medications that the owner cannot afford. IMOM's (In Memory of Magic)background/history/mission can be read here.

You can read specific information about Gemi here and daily updates from Randi about how she is doing and progress we're making in her fundraising here.

If you're moved to donate, your donation through the IMOM.org web site may be tax deductible. You can donate here.

If you're hesitant to donate online, you could send a check directly to Pet Crossing Animal Hospital and Dental Clinic. This is not tax deductible, but will go directly to Gemi's surgery and aftercare costs if you put "For Gemi Raymond/Randi Raymond Account" in the memo line of your check. Send the check to:
Pet Crossing Animal Hospital and Dental Clinic
10861 Bloomington Ferry Road
Bloomington, MN 55438
Phone: 952-884-8248

Also, Lake Minnetonka Pet Sitters, where Randi works and how we met her 'cuz she was Gomer & Opie's pet sitter/dogwalker before I lost my job, is doing a fundraiser during July. A portion of any mid-day dog walks or home visits scheduled with Randi during the month of July will be sent to Pet Crossing to help defer the cost of surgery. Contact Jody (info at tonkapetsitters dot com) at LMPS if you want information about scheduling a visit or two.

Thanks in advance for every dollar you can help with. Or, for your thoughts and prayers if that is all you can contribute!
Wuf Ya!
Gomer, Opie and Floyd
(And DogMom, too!)

Can You Help Us Help Randi?

You remember Randi? She's the one that came to our house to take us on walks before the dogmom was downsized at the newspaper. Now we have to walk with dogmom. It's not nearly as fun.

Anypaws... Randi's dog Gemi is desperately in need of surgery to remove a bunch of teeth from her mouth. There are too many teeth for the size of her mouth and her mouth is crooked and infected because of it. They've been trying to save money for her surgery since last summer.

Then Randi's dad had to stop working because of his health. And then Randi's mom got sick and was in the hospital for a month. And Randi lives with them and takes care of them and works two jobs to pay for everything.

Anypaws... Gemi has been on pain meds and antibiotics for almost a year in anticipation of eventually getting surgery. Now, she needs the surgery SOON! The meds are wreaking havoc on her little 12 pound body. Here's a picture of Randi and Gemi (the tiny one) and Gemi's brother Teddy and Randi's dad that we posted after the Iron Dog Triathlon last September.

Gemi's surgery will cost somewhere between $2000 and $3000. We won't know for sure until she's under anesthesia and xrays are done. She's going to Dr. Kate at Petcrossing (who does our teeth, too!) if we can help her raise the money.

If you're interested in helping, please contact dogmom by clicking on the "Bark Back" link on the left and sending an email. She'll send you information about how to donate money directly to Gemi's fund at Pet Crossing or through IMOM.org.

We'll be back to posting regularly really soon! Paw-miss!

Wuf Ya!
Gomer, Opie and Floyd...
and DogMom, too.