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Wet Nose Blog
Home › Dog tales › From Jazzy with love: one senior dog and her will to survive

From Jazzy with love: one senior dog and her will to survive

March 21, 2016Dog tales

Down, but far from out

Jazzy is a senior dog with an inspiring tale to tell about the love that saved her, and her enduring will to survive despite a series of incredible misfortunes.

Were it not for the devotion of the Navy veteran and his wife who adopted her, Jazzy’s story might have been like too many other senior pets who find themselves in shelters through no fault of their own and never make it out alive.

Dave and Jazzy 12-24-15 (1)_720px

At the time of her adoption Jazzy was eight years old, beset with cancer and terrified. Dave and his wife Val were mourning the death of another beloved dog and sought comfort by volunteering at their local animal rescue. It is there that they met, fostered, fell in love with and ultimately adopted Jazzy through the rescue’s partnership with our charity – despite having learned that the senior dog had cancer.

Now at 11-ish years of age, Jazzy remains a very spirited senior dog. Her parents made a video of her remarkable recovery from one of her cancer surgeries; the love between Dave, Val and Jazzy is Kleenex-worthy.

Love to the rescue

We first introduced you to Jazzy to ask for help so that she might continue to live. This time, however, it was not cancer; it was a serious heart condition. Although incurable, with proper treatment the duration and quality of Jazzy’s life can be extended meaningfully.

Jazzy in stroller_720px

Dave and Val reached out to Pets for Patriots when Jazzy’s medical bills were beyond what the couple could manage. In turn we reached out to our community and watched the love – and the dollars – roll in. The appeal coincided with the holidays when many people are most inspired to give, and made it possible for us to fund what has now been several rounds of medication and lab tests.

The outpouring was not lost on Dave or Val, who never regretted adopting a senior dog with serious health problems.

“Thanks again for your support,” says Val, following a recent payment for Jazzy’s cardiac medication. “It is invaluable as we love Jazzy to pieces and we truly cherish every moment with our silly little girl.”

Jazzy Val and Dave Christmas 2015_720pxTo this day, every weekend the family visits one of their favorite restaurants with Jazzy in tow. Life rolls on.

From the kindness of strangers

In late 2015 Pets for Patriots launched a new veterinary fund to help pets adopted by veterans in our program who were in need of extraordinary life saving or life extending care. Jazzy was one of the first beneficiaries of donations – large and small – from people all over the country who were moved by her plight and inspired by Dave’s and Val’s extraordinary devotion to her.

While we cannot know how long Jazzy would have survived without the care she is now receiving, we do know this: she is alive today and likely would not be without the medical care she continues to receive. Still visiting her favorite restaurant every weekend. Still keeping Dave and Val company while they shop at their local Home Depot.

Dave and Jazzy at Tijuana Flats 2016_720px

It is the kindness and generosity of total strangers that gives comfort to Dave and Val, and renewed life to little Jazzy.

One day Jazzy will go where all dogs go; we hope that when her time comes she goes in peace. Until then Pets for Patriots will honor our commitment to defray the cost of her medications, lab tests and other medical care so that she can continue to be this Navy couple’s ‘silly little girl.’

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Who's going to win this epic battle? Vote!! Who's going to win this epic battle? Vote!!
**Application window for Hairy's adoption closes t **Application window for Hairy's adoption closes today May 31!!**

This amazing Dog In Residence at @bobbyhotel is ready to check out of the hotel forever and into a loving home with a veteran living within 40-driving miles of our partners @NashvilleHumane! 

Click the link in our bio to apply. Hurry; Hairy's waiting!

Gratitude to @todayinnashville for sharing Hairy's need. 🥰

#adoptdontshop #nashville #nashvilletn #teamrwb #petsforvets #dogtraining #traineddog #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #nashvillehumaneassociation #petsforpatriots #bobbyhotel
Thank you for your service, Keisha, and for being Thank you for your service, Keisha, and for being a hero to a pet in need!

Keisha serves in the Army National Guard and just added two year-old Toby to her pack. Thanks to our partners @bmorehumane Toby's adoption fee was waived, and this big pup's 'welcome home' gift card and year of post-adoption follow up are generously sponsored by a grant we received from @veteransunitedfoundation ...woot!!

#army #armystrong #armynationalguard #nationalguard #femaleveteran #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #hounds #houndsofinstagram #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #petsforvets #baltimore
On Memorial Day we reflect upon the men and women On Memorial Day we reflect upon the men and women who died while serving in the United States armed forces - and give gratitude and comfort to our Gold Star families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

The holiday is not about the sales, the barbecues, the day off from work. But that our lives as we know them were made possible in large part by brave souls who died in service, please pause from whatever you are doing today to remember that freedom is not free - and while all veterans give some, some have given all.

#memorialday #memorialday2023 #honorthefallen #honorvets #freedom #freedomisntfree #freedomisnotfree #army #navy #marines #airforce #coastguard #goldstarfamilies #ultimatesacrifice #somegaveall
**THIS** is what rescued looks like/sounds like: **THIS** is what rescued looks like/sounds like:

"She has been such a joy to me. She loves me and I love her. Thank you assisting me with giving her a forever home." ~ Lisa, Army veteran, on her one-year adoption anniversary to Nala.

The now 8 year-old cat was in the care of our partners @phillypaws which waives adoption fees for veterans in our program. Please consider older pets when you adopt; they have so much joy to give!

#adoptaseniorcat #adoptaseniorpet #cats_of_instagram #catsofinstagram #catsofig #rescuecatsofinstagram #rescuecat #armyveteran #femaleveteran #armystrong #philadelphia
Pets for Patriots alums Chadwick (black dog) and 1 Pets for Patriots alums Chadwick (black dog) and 12 year-old Bowser (brown dog) on a little @petsmart shopping spree!

Bowser was adopted in 2012 and is now battling terminal cancer. His mom and dad tell us that his diagnosis doesn't stop Bowser from enjoying life to the fullest, whether that's shopping with brother Chadwick, visiting the beach, or ending the day with a nice puppacino!

#caninecancer #adoptdontshop #seniorpets #seniorpetsofig #seniordogsofinstagram #twoisbetterthanone #shoppingspree #sandiego #dogsonthebeach
Zinger's ship just came in when Sonia, active duty Zinger's ship just came in when Sonia, active duty Navy, saw this precious 2 year-old pupper and said, "Let's sail away."

Another great adoption through our partners @chesapeakehumane - and made possible thanks to a generous grant from our friends at @veteransunitedfoundation ...anchors aweigh! ⚓

#cutedogsofinstagram #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterpet #adoptashelterdog #navyveteran #femaleveteran #navy #navylife #chesapeakeva #muttsrule #muttsofinstagram
There's just something about Hairy! For the past y There's just something about Hairy!
For the past year this handsome hound has been the resident dog ambassador at @bobbyhotel where he's been a guest favorite, greeting all visitors (2- and 4-legged alike). 

Now it's Hairy's time to check out of the hotel and into the home of a U.S. veteran living within a 40-mile driving distance to our partners @nashvillehumane.

Application deadline is Monday, May 31 - Memorial Day! 🇺🇸

What you should know about Hairy:
❤ Loves frolicking in the yard and working on his frisbee-catching skills
❤ Adores car rides - a great travel buddy!
❤ Visits to the beach? Yes, please!
❤ Expert snuggler, couch curler-upper
❤ Active household that loves adventure - a must!
❤ Good with both dogs and cats...furreal!

Veterans living within 40 driving miles of our partners Nashville Humane Association must apply both to the shelter and Pets for Patriots by Monday, May 31. Hurry for Hairy!

Apply to NHA: https://nashvillehumane.org/news/nha-pets/hairy/

Apply to PFP: https://pfp.care/adopt

Stay tuned in the coming weeks to meet Hairy's new humans! P.S. Click the link in our bio to learn more about this exciting 'Hotel to Home' partnership!
It’s Monday. Berry says please come back Tuesday It’s Monday. Berry says please come back Tuesday. ❤️ #rescuedog #rescuedogsofinstagram #olddogsrule #olddogsofinstagram #seniorpets #adoptaseniordog #adoptaseniorcat #americanbully #muttsrule #pibble #pibblesofinstagram #dontbullymybully
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