Marley Mae

Marley is this 4-year-old boxer sweetheart, who was diagnosed with Arrhythmatic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) or “Boxer Cardiomyopathy.” (Yes, it occurs so much in Boxers that it has been so nicknamed.)

Marley’s mom is the working mother of a 6-year-old human child, Marley, and three kitties. She is a professional counselor, working with very troubled children. Sometimes, Marley comes to work with her. At the time we were helping Marley Mae in December, 2012, her mom was on a waitlist to get her officially certified as a therapy dog.

Though young and healthy looking to the casual onlooker, Marley’s mom knew that something wasn’t right. When she took Marley back to the cardiologist, they determined that Marley should have a Holter Monitoring test to assess the level and severity of her disease. The only problem was that this test, recommend twice, was going to cost $1,200, or $600 each time. And any prescribed medications would add to that cost.

It would only take $350 more dollars of charges and Marley’s mom’s credit cards would all be totally maxed out. She was making just enough to cover necessary bills, and sometimes had enough to make payments on the significant debt she had accumulated through her own medical bills and student load debt. Like many owners we meet, she was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

The receptionist at Marley’s cardiologist’s office, Cornell University Animal Medical Center, told Marley’s mom about The Big Hearts Fund. She submitted an application in October, 2012. We were able to grant Marley Mae $500 towards the cost of the Holter monitoring procedure, and we also helped Marley’s mom set up a fundraising page for Marley on our website which yielded another $300.

Marley got her Holter test in January, 2013. She is back on track with her treatment and is living life comfortably and happily. Today, Marley’s mom reports that knowing Marley Mae has ARVC makes her cherish every moment she has the privilege of sharing with her.