The Pongo Fund

We started getting the calls shortly after the story broke. One woman called on behalf of her daughter, who was too nervous to ask for help herself. Another man used his dog’s name, when we asked his name. He was embarrassed. His dog’s name was Duke.

The callers apologized. They were afraid to ask for help. They knew things would be ok in a few weeks. But they didn’t know when. And they had hungry dogs and cats now. Could we help?

Yes we could.

The Pongo Fund has been here before. Many times. When federal workers went unpaid, The Pongo Fund was there. When teachers went unpaid, The Pongo Fund was there. When nurses went unpaid, The Pongo Fund was there.

The list goes on. But it’s more of the same.

When the call comes, The Pongo Fund is there.

We don’t have a marketing or PR team. Most people don’t have a clue the work we do behind the scenes. Sometimes we don’t even know. And then it happens.

We are such a tiny group. A bunch of kind hearted folks doing all we can to make sure people don’t need to give up their beloved animals when times are tough.

This load of dog and cat food was delivered directly to the Portland International Airport for the emergency TSA food bank. Just a small part of the dog and cat food The Pongo Fund has provided for many unpaid TSA workers. Dog and cat food were two of the most requested items. And now they have both.

Thank you to everyone who steps up to help us so we can help others.

We are grateful for you.

Because hungry people have hungry pets.

As Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

If you’d like to help us, please click here: https://www.thepongofund.org/contact/donation-page/

Being a Helper.

And this is why we Pongo.

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live.
thepongofund.org
Portland, OR.

Finally --

We have a Cleo Update.

And it’s good news.

We learned that Cleo’s urgent surgery last week went well and the medical team was able to remove the very large and many bladder stones, and they were hopeful for a quick recovery.

I was hoping for more details, but Cleo’s Mom has not replied with any other information.

Sometimes that’s how it goes.

We do what we can to save a life, and we hope for the best moving forward.

Thank you again to everyone for being there for sweet Cleo.

You really did save her life.

Being a Helper.

And this is why we Pongo.

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live.
thepongofund.org
The Pongo Fund / Portland, OR

The Pongo Fund has many Kibble Packs each year.

The Clara Kelly Miller Kibble Pack is our most special one.

When Clara’s big extended family gathers with us to celebrate and remember this sweet girl who lives across the Rainbow Bridge, spreading her joy every single day.

This will be our 10th Clara Kelly Miller Kibble Pack. What you see is the prep moment, with some of the dozens of totes waiting and ready to go. Totes that are filled and refilled thousands of times each year, bringing forth dinner for hungry animals near and far.

Today, they will be filled for Clara.

None of us know everything. But for those of us who Kibble with Clara, one thing we do know is that she is right there with us. And we love her very much.

Kibbling With Clara.

And this is why we Pongo.

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live.
thepongofund.org
The Pongo Fund / Portland, OR

As Friday night dances to a close, I’m sorry to say we still do not have an update for sweet Cleo.

Sometimes the vet team gets busy, and the person who was supposed to make the call or send the email asks someone else to do it, but that person gets busy and before you know it the day is over and the update did not get done. And then it's the weekend and time marches on.

As for the people who have the animals that The Pongo Fund helps, please remember that in many cases, The Pongo Fund is their only port in a storm.

But in their worlds, there are many storms.

And never enough ports.

As soon as one storm has passed, there are three more waiting. What I mean to say is, sometimes the people are too exhausted to update us. They have good intentions. But life gets in the way.

I spoke with Cleo’s Mom Wednesday night, before the Thursday morning surgery. She also texted me a very long message of gratitude. But she was exhausted. Absolutely exhausted. Not just from what Cleo is suffering, but from her own life too.

We funded the surgery to save Cleo's life. There were no follow ups required. But if possible, I'd sure like to know how she's doing.

Sometimes several days go by until we hear something. That may be the case here. I really don’t have any inside information. And with all the things that might be, I’d like to wait until we know for sure. Whatever the outcome is, I will share it with you.

Good news or bad.

But it’s Friday and not a Friday goes by that I still don’t think of The Scoobs. And since I don’t have another photo of Cleo to share, I thought Scooby would be a good stand in.

Thank you again to everyone for being there for sweet Cleo.

I’ll update you when I know more.

Being a Helper.

And this is why we Pongo.

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live.
thepongofund.org
The Pongo Fund / Portland, OR

This is Cleo. The photo is not from today. Because today she's in a lot of pain.

Surgery is needed ASAP. Huge bladder stones and a blockage just waiting to make things worse. It's already an emergency. We just learned about it this afternoon.

She doesn't know it, but we've dedicated the last 4 hours to her.

She’s not in a good way.

Was supposed to be in surgery last week but the estimate was about $1700 and her Mom only had $80. Truth is, I’m not sure she even had the $80. She said it was somewhere, but she didn’t know where.

We got the call this afternoon. We’ve already given the go ahead. There was no time to wait for fundraising.

Fingers and paws crossed for the best outcome that should be in the next few days.

For now I’m going to stop here. So many more details to share but I don’t want you to spend the rest of your night thinking about what I’m thinking about.

If you’d like to join Team Cleo, please consider donating on this post or using the secure link on our website https://www.thepongofund.org/contact/donation-page/

Team Cleo Checks can also be sent to The Pongo Fund, PO Box 9000, Portland, OR, 97207.

We’ve got 18 dogs and cats waiting for major surgeries. We’re going to help every single one of them. Please join with us if you can.

If nothing else, please send LOVE.

Thank you to everyone who helps us Pongo.

Being a Helper.

And this is why we Pongo.

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live.
thepongofund.org
The Pongo Fund / Portland, OR

In a few minutes this sweet boy will be in surgery and his life will change forever.

His name is Rufus and he’s in a lot of pain. That eye is a mess. Despite it all, he’s still there front and center greeting everyone with the best tail wags and ever so gently taking all the treats.

As the veterinary team said, he’s a Heart-Melter.

His people love him very much, but the cost of surgery was far more than they could bear. Thankfully they got him to the veterinary team that could help determine next steps, and that included a call to The Pongo Fund.

An enucleation is expensive. But thanks to our friends at Affordable at Home Care, Inc, his bill is covered.

From this day forward Rufus will have one less eye. But he will still clearly see and feel all the love from all the people, who care so deeply about him.

And all that pain he has so stoically endured, will be gone. And that is the best news.

Thank you Stephanie, Peter and Gucci, and everyone at Affordable at Home Care, Inc, for being there when we need you most. Your kindness saves lives every single day.

One more thing. I intentionally did not enlarge the photo. Not everyone is ready to see an eye with this level of damage. But it's far worse than it looks.

But the best part of that photo, is looking at Sweet Rufus. He is such a good boy. And if you want to give him some kisses on that sweet boop of a nose, I'll completely understand.

For Rufus the Heart-Melter.

And this is why we Pongo.

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live.
thepongofund.org
The Pongo Fund / Portland, OR