I love you in a place
Where there’s no space or time
I love you for in my life
You are a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone and
I was singing this song for youNeil Diamond
I never intended to write this post. The pictures and videos that accompany it are part of the Let’s Adopt! private files, part of our history, the work that noone sees. As I have explained many times, the rhythm of posting on Facebook only allow us to post about 1/10th of our work but it’s behind that wall that the endless and selfless work hundreds of volunteers takes place. Today, you are going to see the essence of Let’s Adopt! Global.
Sometimes I wished everyone could see what we are doing at any given time, but then I realize it’s how difficult that is, the organization has grown too big and it’s so scattered across the world that it would be impossible to even try. This is one of such stories.
A few months ago we received a desperate email from the United States. In it we could read the heart-wrenching story of a good woman and her cat, Chachi, a cat that because of a mixture of a misdiagnosis and callousness had been allowed to go untreated for a cancerous growth.
The medical protocol would have demanded a biopsy upon discovery and chemotherapy to reduce the size and possibly do away with the tumor all together. Unfortunately, Chachi’s owner couldn’t afford the extortionate prices requested to treat him. It was either pay many thousands of dollars or have Chachi euthanized for the bargain price of a couple of hundred bucks.
She couldn’t do either, instead she did her best to make his life as bearable as possible whilst looking for a miracle…
During the following months, as Chachi’s tumor grew to the point where he could not use his jaw any longer and could barely eat, the owner tried desperately to search for support among animal welfare organizations and rescues. Nothing… noone even replied to her pleas, and even less offered to help Chachi in any way.
And then… and then she found us.
Initially we tried to have Chachi treated in Virginia, where he was based, but it became painfully obvious that this option wouldn’t work. At that point we decided to fly Chachi to Spain for treatment. To have chemotherapy at this late stage was not an ideal solution, it should have been done much earlier, but at the same time there was no metastasis so there was still a chance. WE HAD TO TRY.
Chachi’s journey started with a quick internal flight from Virginia to Boston where he rested for a couple of days before starting his intercontinental adventure. On the second leg of the trip, on the flight that would take him from Boston to Valencia via Paris, Chachi was accompanied by our friend, Gary, a giant of a man with a equally oversized heart for animals. Chachi went on a journey and he saw the world…
How many people do you know that will jump short notice on a plane to fly across the world to take to the vet an ailing cat he’s never met? I know one.. my friend Gary.
It was an extremely moving moment. Greeting Gary and Gary and Chachi at the airport made me realize once again how far Let’s Adopt! had gone from our early days in Turkey. How many animals we had saved, the people we had managed to help and inspire, showing them that every life matters. How many lives we’d changed… All of that crossed through my mind whilst I reached towards Chachi’s travelling bag to look at him for the first time.
All these hopes quickly turned to anger and frustration when we started evaluating Chachi’s state. There he was, in front of me, once a magnificent animal, now laying down, consumed by an untreated cancer allowed to grow out of control by a mixture of greed and ignorance. There he was, a living being that most animal organizations had considered “unworthy of being helped”. Why helping an animal in such critical condition when there are so many others to save? That is usually the rhetorical question people pose themselves when they have decided to do nothing. Needless to say, that’s not a question we ever place ourselves. Our rationale is: is there ANYONE else willing to handle a particular rescue better than us? If there is, we leave it to them… Sadly, noone bothered helping Chachi. We truly were his last hope.
We had to stabilize him first, strengthen him to the point where he could receive treatment for his tumor. We knew it would be hard, but we had to try.
During his time with us Chachi showed us the wonderful depth of his character and we understood why his owner could never euthanize him, why she made the ultimate sacrifice to entrust her beloved friend to a perfect stranger rather than kill him before giving him one real shot, one real chance to be cured.
For weeks he lived with us, for weeks we saw him gain strength, day after day, his tumor diminish in size, his appetite returned, voracious, his will to live to go on, undiminished.
We retained the services of one of the best oncologists in the country, someone formed in the best US schools, ironically, the same ones that refused to help when Chachi was there. He had an specifically designed chemotherapy protocol. It was aggressive, but it was his only chance.
Chachi went through the first round of chemotherapy, and his tumor decreased in size significantly. We had hope, and we could see that Chachi was feeling better.
All those hopes came to an abrupt end upon his THIRD round of chemo… suddenly, like if the sudden realization of the magnitude of his fight had dawned on him, Chachi gave up and within a few hours he would leave us, saddened and torn by the fact that we couldn’t help him, that he had arrived to us too late, but happy that he was giving a real fighting chance, and that he was treated with the dignity and respect every animal deserves.
Chachi’s ashes flew back to the United States, they went home, to her friend that let him go and was anxious to have him back.
This was Chachi.. this is how he lived, and this is how he died. We owed to him to tell his story. And we owed to you, our friends and supporters,we had to show you what Let’s Adopt does, the kind organization you are a part of. An organization that will think nothing of flying an ailing animal across the world at great expense in search of a chance of life. An animal that wasn’t public, mediatic, but that not because of that was treated differently, or was any less important that any other of our rescues.
Chachi lives now in our memories. Forever.
Chachi’s rescue was only possible thanks to our operating fund, the safety net that allows to do the 90% of the work very few see, and where animals like Chachi are provided help, across the world, every day of the year.
Please, if you feel this is something worth supporting, feel free to donate to our fund on Chachi’s memory…
Wow, So sad!! At least you tried, that is all that matters now!! Thank You for that!!
You and the people that work for you are amazing. Thank you so much for making his life matter. You truly are an angel.
I’m glad that now I know about the depth of Let’s Adopt Global’s committment to our furry friends, because truly, they often love us more than our human “friends”.
God Bless you.
Rest in peace dear Chachi you where a beautiful cat I wish you would make it but now you can run free of diseases and be happy i the heven for cat’s.But you wont be forgotten. <3 <3 <3
Bless you little Chachi….you suffered and you were shown love, caring and compassion by everyone at Lets Adopt! Global….I know you are safe, healthy and running free now….like Tidus and Biscuit….and all our other heartchildren! Maria in Napier, South Africa.
R.I.P. Chachi i believe you and all other animals who suffered here are in a better place!!!!!!!! we will all be reunited some day. if you had no loved ones here you do there!!!!!!!! your owner loved you thank god!!!!!!!!! I love all animals & they should be treated with nothing but kindness , and love!!!!!!!!!only in a perfect world thats where you and all good 2 and 4 legged souls are and will be when there time comes!!!!!!!!!!
Poor Chaachi. Rip my friend!! Thank you for trying Victor xx
FOREVER!!<3
awww poor chachi. i be a mass with out my cat or pets and for that to heppend to u was just sad. my feeling go out to u mt buddy hop ur livein it good up in the Holy pleces
this is so sad atleast you tried poor chahi rest easy little guy.
Thank you for at least trying and not giving up. At least he died knowing people cared and tried. Thank you for being such great people with big hearts.
Chachi is free of pain and the evil in this world now, as I wish we all could be. When we meet him, it will be in paradise. Save us all a place, Chachi.
This is the saddest story I’ve read. Chachi, you were loved and in pain no more. GOD BLESS all the people who took care of you and all the other animals who don’t have a home. If you have an animal that you can’t or don’t want to take care of CALL SOMEONE. I hope there is a special place in HELL for people who are cruel to animals. You are not forgotten, Chachi. RIP. !!!!
What you did for Chachi is wonderful. I understand the love his human companion had for him and never gave up trying to help him. Bless them both.
The rainbow bridge has another beautiful angel it its mist. Rest in peace poor baby. You are now whole & free to live the way you shoul.
This is horrific. This poor baby suffered and if they would have treated him sooner, he would be alive today. I’m sorry you suffered sweet CHACHI. R.I.P. GOD IS HOLDING YOU NOW…………….
i had a real skinny cat that came from a rescue centre , the cat stayed with me about 3 months ,then i noticed the cat wasn’t eating much at all .so the cat went back to the rescue centre where kidney failure was happening .sadly she never lived long after that ,but i was greatful i could give her those few months at my home. she loved to sit in the flower garden sunbathing.i still have her photo…
thank god you all tried… i wanted to cry when watching this.. all i can say is i have 2 cats and i will not allow them to suffer in any way, so if it meant to put the asleep i would,,, yes it would be the hardest thing for me to do
So sorry poor Chachi didn’t make it, but YOU TRIED!! That’s more than anyone else did!! Thanks for all you do Viktor!!
goodnight chachi, you were so brave, you fought so hard to get better, but it wasnt to be, now you are at rainbow bridge free of pain and playing with all the other cats that have passed over, sleep tight 🙂 xx thank you victor for trying to save chachi, you did your best to save him:)
I dont understand why he died. He was doing so good & getting better & then he just gave up? I am so sorry Chachi. God Bless You All at MyLetsAdopt! & in Spain who tried to help Chachi. At least you are not in anymore pain Chachi! Very sad story : (
It’s tough when dealing with living creatures. When dealing with a cancer patient every day is unpredictable. But he was loved and treated as well as possible until the end.
Such a moving story……….and a shame that the USA couldn’t help a sick animal because the owner was too poor !
Wonderful to read this heart rendering story of brave Chachi. Thank you for all that you do but most of all for your caring and compassion and sacrifice that you make for those that have no voice .
You truly love animals like a lot of us do, you are all wonderful and it is a pity more people had animals in their heart like you all have the world would be a sad place without you xx
Rest in peace Chachi, it’s sad they couldn’t help you sooner. What happened to his eye?
He had developed an infection which we treated before moving him to Spain. He was doing better. You can see in the videos when he’s eating that his eyes are brighter.
Chachi is running free and chasing Butterflies in God’s Heaven!
Viktor,I wish that I heard of your organization sooner.I lost 2 cats because I could not afford the vet bills. 1 four years ago died of liver disease -he died in my arms home.He was 10 yrs. old. 2 cat was just last year from cancer or absseced tooth. Cancer was the first thing that came out of the vets mouth. And seeing I was on disabilaty from a total knee surgery there was no way.either I was going to have a hard time paying I would of tried if I was working I did for my first cat(which had kidney disease and I gave her another 2 yrs., and 22 days. hospitalized only twice)but my cat last year when the word cancer came up I couldn’t let her suffer anymore, so I had her put down. I have felt guilty for not giving them the same treatment as my first cat.I didn’t know that there was help for pet owners until now.I will never will be able to forgive myself for their deaths. But thank you for this story about Chachi may he rest in peace. Thank you and God bless you and your team. Barbara P
Is this some kind of sick joke? You think you did this poor soul a favor? Really??? He suffered how long with this terminal condition for what? So you can seek donations? You should be ASHAMED not proud! The kindest, most loving thing to have done for this angel was to grant him a peaceful death but
you prolonged his misery! May karma be so kind to you! And any of you people who give these frauds money are accomplices in torture.
You don’t understand the concept of Karma. In your mouth it becomes an insult.
It was lovely to watch him eat, bless him. Sorry that he did not make it through but thank you so much for trying. Rest in Peace little Cat.
Its sad when Vets are there & are supposed to help.. but money (Greed) comes before the act of care..Thank You for coming to the cats help.. I wished he could have lived.. no cat deserves to be in agony of cancer.. his owner was a true Owner & kept care of despite her cat sickness .. where others would have turn away she was there right up to the end she loved & cared for him..If more owners would be so dedicated there wouldn’t be cats in shelters or streets..she gave & the cat gave back.. I am so glad you all tried your best.. Cross Over Rainbow Bridge Chachi .. you were loved more than many in your condition..I am sorry Vets care more for money then the care of a cat…R.I.P.
rest in peace little one your fight is over we will see you again over thrainbow bridge. just know and are proud of how you fought. you were truly loved and cared for.
it was a wonderful thing you folks did for that little guy.
Thank GOD for people like these to take care of our furry angels.
all life matters.may god bless you for all that you do for these very worthy animals.rest in peace chachi.
This just such a devastating story and has certainly made me cry. Thank you for what you did and for giving him a chance. The time he was with you would have made Chachi a lot more comfortable in his final days & the love that you surrounded him with. I feel deeply sad for the lady who owned the poor soul and it makes me sick to the stomach to think there was not one person out there apart from you who was prepared to help Chachi. Your work is amazing and I donate regularly. It may not be a huge amount but everything helps. RIP Chachi and one day you will be reunited with your forever Mum. Godbless Clare xxxx
Thank you so much for this sad but beautiful story. i never knew about your organization. i will help when i can and will pray others will do the same. thanks and R.I.P. Chachi.
I really thought this was going to have a happy ending, in one way, it did. Chachi is whole and healthy on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge where Biscuit, Pookie and Bill have been waiting to greet him. They’re now running, playing and happy! R.I.P. Chachi, give a meow to Biscuit, Pookie and Bill for me.
God Bless you for your efforts to save his life ” for even trying to ” I have been in a couple situations where I had to call upon the nokill shelters and the rescues for help and just like what happened to chachi , found not one to help me and even worse then that most would’nt even answer my plea for help…. I was so angry at the time because i was desprete for help. there are so many rescues out there rescueing animals from the shelters from being killed and god bless them all for that but, now it was my time that i needed help and could not even find one to help me and because of that 5 little 2 month old kittens were killed for no reason at all but, for being born… they all were the best lil kittens i ever knew. so well behaved it did’nt seem real. I cried for day’s because of this. and the same rescues that did answer me and said that they were full and could not take the kittens I saw the next two days still going and rescues a few other animals from the shelter, when they told me they had no room… this broke my heart… I thought a rescue was for ALL animals NOT just the pick and choose one’s. Like I said earlier my hat goes off to them for rescueing the animals that they do but, how can one life be better then the next. I look at rescues in a different way now and if it ever comes a time to where i ever need help again yeah the rescues might come to my mind but, then im better off on my own then asking them for any kind of help and thats a shame when lives are at stake here…. god bless you for doing something that no one would come forward to do. and Im sure you have a big spot in gods heart for doing it… who knows, maybe it was one of gods test to see who would actully come through….
You are good people, please, for their sakes, keep up the good work. Bless you all.
Thanks for trying. RIP Chachi your last days were spend in the best care. God bless the hands and hearts of these angels that goes so far, Thanks Doc I dont think people know the passion of caring unless you were put in these situations. Thank You again.
it’s amazing the work you all do…and it’s beyond agervating that doctors, for people and human alike don’t seem to have much of a heart or soul anymore when it comes to treating the patient, it’s more about the money. i have health issues and so does my dog and when they act up, i see how we only get treated for what i can afford. at least i’m covered under law if i’m in dire need of medical attention, the emergancy clinic has to see me and fix me if i have mortal wounds even if i can’t pay. if it’s my dog… i’m at the mercy of the doctor having a conscience and just doing the right thing. i’m not saying that these services should always be free but no one should suffer and die because they can’t pay, or pay right now. the world needs millions more people like you guys. <3
Thank you for everything you do for this sweet cat. R.I.P Chachi.
So sorry to see that Chachi passed away, good that he had the love and attention he deserved before that happened. I am not surprised that the treatment did not happen in America, where prices for treatment to pets is outrageously huge, and where so called vets recommend other treatments and follow up treatments all for extra dollars, not all American vets are like this, just too many.
It is clear you guys are amazing, very heart warming, sad yet inspiring stories. Well done to all involved in the work you do!
A beautiful cat a beautiful life . Pharmaectical companies need stop being so over priced . How in Gods name can anyone without insurance or money to pay for treatments and medcinces to help a animal ? People can get health insurance for their pets and it’s worth it . I didn’t think about it for my Rusty till I was faced with maybe treatments for his cancer . He’s gone now not because of no treatments but he was to go home to Jesus . Sorry for the loss of this beautful cat who suffered senselessly . Sincerely , Paula-Paws for Patrick
God bless you all for your efforts and what wonderful people you all are. God bless Chachi Rest in peace sweet little man xx
I have followed all of your stories for a very long time You are all so wonderful I wish I had money to donate but I don’t so instead I always write
to help do what I can Viktor and your group are so wonderful I always end
up crying for what you do for these animals May you all be blessed
And we love to read your notes Gerrie…. thank you for always being there..
Love
Viktor
El señor os observa……
Bless you and all that you do. I’m so glad that your organization gave Chachi a chance I recently had to euthanize my 10 year old Turkish Van Peanut because she had polyps all down her throat, my vet did her first surgery but had to quit because he didn’t have special equipment (lazer) and she was bleeding to much I could not afford a specialist and I couldn’t get help from any organizations either. I sent emails or called all the ones I could locate locally and nationwide via the net, I tried for 5 months to get help for her until she couldn’t breathe well so my angel got her wings.
while i can appreciate ur willingness to try to save these desperate cases, i have to question ur motivation — the radiograph clearly showed this tumour was highly invasive — even if the chemo shrinks the tumour 10-20%, there will be minimal benefit to chachi — ur concern for this cat should have been predicated on “quality of life” — u should have known his quality of life would not be improved…he would certainly never be cured — why would u subject chachi to such a stressful trip in the first place? just to see him attempt to eat (why wasn’t an e-tube placed? not dramatic enough for ur video?) — viktor, u have more critics out there right now than u can handle — even i used to donate money to u but have recently begun to question ur motivation so i don’t give any money to u any more
Travelling is not such an stressful experience, even when you are sick.
He lived in total comfort with us, and he had a chance.
Please, keep your money, get yourself some ice cream. Seriously…
I’m amazed at the level of effort this organization and their team would go to treat a cat that would have been euthanized in the states. I think it’s wonderful! You can see it means more than just money to these people, and that’s refreshing.
I think that it is very unfortunate that many vets in the US are in it soley for the money and when it comes to critical cases like Chachi unless you can pay, nothing will be done. I don’t know of too many vets that will do anything out of charity simply for the love of animals. God Bless you and all your volunteers for the charitable work that you do because of your love for animals.
Thank you for taking care of Chachi!
I knew, dear Viktor, that again some people would criticize (to say the least 🙁 ) such actions the way Deborah did. I guess they’ll never understand the main aim of Let’s Adopt Global: try giving every suffering animal a chance, even the worst cases like dear Chachi… Aaah… hopeless criticism… they’re part of another world, another philosophy towards animals, and as such, they’ll always accuse you of greed, no matter what you try showing and explaining!
Thanks for having shared Chachi’s story… may this little soul rest in peace, knowing your team and your dedicated vets tried your utmost to save him… I’ll go on supporting you, of course!
HOW CAN I GET YOU OFF OF MY FACEBOOK PAGE. i SEE NOTHING THAT SAYS I CAN DELETE YOU FROM MY FACEBOOK PAGE AND I DON’T KNOW WHY YOU ARE POSTING ON MY PAGE. I HAVE NEVER GIVEN YOU ACCESS TO MY PAGE. WILL YOU PLEASE DELETE ME FROM YOU MAILING LIST
mARGARET FRAN MILLER
Margaret Fran Miller, I’m sorry you apparently are having some kind of panic attack over our postings. No harm intented to your peace of mind. First, let me explain that we in no way control what Facebook content you are seeing. That is entirely under your control. I suggest you read FACEBOOK FOR DUMMIES by Carolyn Abram and Lea Pearlman. It’s an excellent read for the novice and frustrated Facebook user.. 🙂 As for you email, you subscribe to our Blog, which may have been done accidentally, and you can UNSUBSCRIBE to our postings. That, too, is under your control. But I can help you if you provide me with your email address. Without it there’s not much I can do. Thanks, and take care.
RIP Little Chachi. You were so loved and everyone wished you could of stayed but you are now at rest with no more pain. What you guys did for Chachi is truly a labor of love. He knew you all loved him and were trying to help and when he thought he had fought hard enough and was tired you let him go. Thanks for all you do.
Deborah, did you watch the video of Chachi eating so voraciously? He was ENJOYING life! He was able to eat again, something he hadn’t been able to do for so long. If you had a child and this same thing had happened to him or her, would you recommend the same thing–euthanasia? Even the few precious days that Chachi was able to live life to the extent he did is a testament to the good things Viktor and Let’s Adopt Global accomplish every day. YOU should be ashamed for your heartlessness. Every life is precious and deserves every chance. I hope when your time comes, there’s someone to give you the same chance.
I agree with Kathy Lemke, most vets are very greedy and want their money once services have been rendered, they do not have any payment plans to make it easier for poor people to pay high vets’ bills.
So sorry for Chachi’s loss. I had a pure bred Rag Doll cat named Benji who got liver cancer. He fought as hard as he could but I knew the day he gave up. He just looked at me and I knew he didn’t want to continue anymore. He died the next day in my arms at the vet’s office. Just before he left this earth he looked up at me in total peace. He knew he was going to a much better place and some day we will see each other at the Rainbow Bridge.
I was ashamed to read that Chachi received no help in the state and country that I live in, and heartbroken to read that he did not make it. I’ve donated some money and I only wish I could give more. Thank you for all you do, and please do not think all Virginians are so heartless. Shame on the vets and rescues that ignored that poor woman’s pleas for her baby, and shame on the people who criticize what you do.
Thank you Onna… thank you for your help and truly glad you understand what we do and why we do it..
Love
Viktor
Thank you for everything what you are doing! Thank you so saving our furry friends lives. Thank you for making their lives valuable, for straggling with them.
Onna, I agree with every word you said. Very well spoken.
Thank you for giving Chachi a chance. As you have clearly stated, you take the cases that most rescues won’t, that most rescues can’t stomach, and that most rescues frankly, can’t turn around to adoption quickly enough. While I respect the work that they do, I greatly respect the work that you do. Most human cancer patients will say, upon diagnosis, that they want to live and they fight. Just because an animal can’t say the same words doesn’t mean that they don’t want to fight just as hard. They all deserve the right to battle for their lives, and just like Chachi, they deserve the right to give up when they are ready. Ignore the nay-sayers. They will always find a way to hate what they are incapable of doing. RIP sweet Chachi, you had people willing to go half way around the world to save you, and you knew it.