The Donor: A True Story of Kindness, Miracles and Hope

By Sparky Pluggs and his Human, Kimberly Valentine

Facebook: Support Group Dog Mitral Valve Repair Bozon Vet
Instagram: @help_save_sparky_pluggs

Disclaimer: The Donor requests anonymity; their name will not be disclosed.

If the state of affairs in your life at times seems bleak, you must read this story. If you struggle with a world that appears to grow colder from the scarcity of kindness, sincerity, and compassion, you must read this story. If the flame of your internal candle of belief is dwindling beyond recognition, you Must. Read. This. Story.

This story of hope promises on some level to make you smile, and maybe shed a tear. It’s most heartfelt at this holiday season when the air is laced with magic, but appropriate for year around.

My name is Kimberly Valentine. Sparky Pluggs is my doggie fur child. Similar to Sparky Pluggs, his doggie fur friends Schnitzel, Ralph, Max, Prudence, and Zoey Marie have mitral valve disease (MVD). Although the symptoms of MVD can be controlled with medication, the potential of fur babies succumbing to congestive heart failure as a result of MVD is a reality.

But a special doctor has pioneered a technique to repair fur babies’ fragile hearts; his name is Dr. Masami Uechi, and he has partnered with the husband-wife team Drs. Sabine and Jean-Hughes Bozon. One by one, Dr. Uechi repaired Sparky Pluggs and his friends’ tiny tender hearts at the Bozon Veterinary Clinic in Versailles France.

The Bozon Veterinary Clinic is owned by Drs. Sabine and Jean-Hughes Bozon, and is the centerpiece of this must read story.

In September, I received a Facebook and Instagram personal message from someone we will refer to as “The Stranger”. Like Sparky Pluggs, The Stranger’s fur baby had MVD. As similar stories proceed, The Stranger was told nothing more could be done, and there may be a time their fur baby’s life was at risk.

With such devastating news, The Stranger did not take this as the final word; they asked a friend and co-worker [who shares their love of dogs] to search the internet, and find something to save their fur baby’s life. The Stranger’s friend and co-worker found Sparky Pluggs’ Facebook and Instagram page, and contacted me on Sep 14th.

The Stranger, my husband [Rich] and I scheduled a call for Sunday, Sep 18th. Rich and I told The Stranger about our amazing experience with Dr. Masami Uechi, and the phenomenal post-operative aftercare headed by Dr. Sabine Bozon. Then, The Stranger changed the conversation topic.

The Stranger told us how they were born into a life of your “Average Joes”, but through dedication they industriously built an extremely successful business that was financially comparable to the combined annual salaries of the top six NFL Quarterbacks…. times two! Rich and I were not really sure where the conversation was headed, but it turned more interesting and intriguing real fast.

The Stranger: “How often do you speak with Dr. Sabine Bozon?”

Me: “Several times a week.”

The Stranger: “I’ve been really blessed. I want to donate to the Bozon Veterinary Clinic. Do me a favor? Ask Drs. Sabine and Jean-Hughes if the Clinic needs anything.”

Me: “What specifically?”

The Stranger: “Supplies. Equipment. Information Technology resources.”

At this point I repeatedly pondered if I was hearing The Stranger correctly. After all, how many times do you meet someone with the resources and desire to make such a contribution?

Me: “So you want to donate whatever they need?” I asked. “What’s the budget?”

The Stranger: “Just ask them what they need.”

The call with The Stranger ended. Rich and I stared at each other in shock. The mental fog hardly lifted as I dialed Dr. Sabine to relay the message. She was in the middle of providing a tour of Paris to some friends. Unapologetic for interrupting her, I rattled off the conversation I had with The Stranger.

I could tell Dr. Sabine was also surprised. She would repeat what I told her in the form of a question as if to say, “Kim, am I hearing you correctly?” Still in doubt of mishearing The Stranger, I thought “I think so.” Dr. Sabine asked, “What’s the budget?” I explained that I asked The Stranger the same question, but they would not specify.

After a few days of absorbing everything that transpired, Drs. Sabine and Jean-Hughes contacted me. They in fact desired something for the Clinic, but could not afford it. Their “Wish List” consisted of hi tech, hi touch Advanced Intensive Care Unit (ICU) chambers that are manufactured by the Japan-based company, Tokyo Menix. The ICU chambers would be a tremendous tool in the recovery process of fur babies undergoing mitral valve repair.

Each state of the art ICU chamber consists of three rooms with independently controlled and monitored temperature, humidity and oxygen. Environmental controls are accessed by the exterior located digital panels. In fact these are the precise ICU chambers world-renown veterinary mitral valve repair surgeon, Dr. Masami Uechi uses in his Jasmine Veterinary Hospital in Japan.

Drs. Bozon obtained an estimate of the ICU chambers and forwarded it to me. The Stranger and I spoke:

Me: “The Bozons are extremely appreciative of your offer. However, the Advanced ICU chambers cost in the tens of thousands of dollars.”

The Stranger: “The price is fine. But there’s one request.”

Me: “OMG.” I thought. “There’s a request? I sincerely hope it can be met.” I continued to think. “What’s your request?” I asked.

The Stranger: “The ICU chambers must be installed for the dogs having MVR in October.”

Me: “But that’s in 14 days. And, since the ICU chambers are shipped by sea, actual delivery takes weeks. Based upon your request, air transportation is the only way [if possible with these timelines] and it will be very costly. ”

The Stranger: “That’s fine.”

I informed Drs. Sabine and Jean-Hughes of The Stranger’s request. They too agreed delivery by air would be our only hope.

Tokyo Menix provided an invoice with a price tag of over $75,000 USD! In turn, I provided the invoice to The Stranger. Approximately 20 minutes after my sending the invoice, The Stranger texted me: “Money wired.” I was in disbelief! When oh when does anyone witness this?!! Over $75,000 being wired like it was $1.50!!

After Tokyo Menix confirmed receipt of the funds, Dr. Sabine, Dr. Jean-Hughes and I spoke. We were crying and OMGing: the dream transformed into reality. Tokyo Menix had the money in their bank account. The Bozon Veterinary Clinic would have these coveted ICU chambers in their inventory. And, the fur babies would receive the absolute best recovery possible.

Admittedly, I was screaming and running around the house. Whenever I would speed past Sparky Pluggs on my celebratory sprint, he’d give me that look like “Humans. I’ve stopped trying to understand.” This was truly uncommon, magical and unbelievable. That a stranger, would appear out of thin air, and give so freely and generously to people they never met.

It was official: The Stranger was now The Donor.

Tokyo Menix considered the ICU chambers a priority. Guess what?!! In order to meet the tight timelines of installation for the October surgeries, the Tokyo Menix Director and Senior Technician flew from Japan to the Bozon Veterinary Clinic the week of Oct 17th. Did you hear me? OMG?! Talk about rolling out the red carpet!

The ICU chambers were installed in time for the first mitral valve repair surgery on Oct 24th. The Director and Senior Technician stayed through the first surgery to ensure the ICU chambers’ proper functioning and operation.

Never would I have imagined in July that Sparky Pluggs, Ralph, and Max would be the last set of dogs to receive oxygen through their nose. With the Advanced ICU chambers, future dogs would reside in their personal ICU chamber in which temperature and oxygen is regulated according to their needs.

In the ICU chambers, the dogs would receive more oxygen in their lungs and consequently to their tissues. Additionally, the Advanced ICU chambers would allow for raising the amount of oxygen in the blood, decreasing burden on the heart and trachea bronchial airways, and facilitating breathing. Dogs would be prepared for exit of the ICU chambers via progressive reduction of the oxygen percentage.

To name a few, Prudence, Zoey Marie and Maxwell would be some of the first fur babies to benefit from The Donor’s generosity.

I am deeply humbled and grateful The Donor included me in this experience. The Donor’s sincerity and selfless act of kindness is incomparable; it has a permanent imprint on our hearts that will be treasured forever.

Donors are angels on earth, and their contributions come in all forms. Some angels give their time by volunteering, or helping others. Others gift what is obtainable to them, but intangible to people in need. Donating a listening ear or shoulder to cry on are also priceless contributions by angels on earth.

As we approach 2017 with anticipation and hope for the future, whoever, and whenever you encounter a stranger, always remember: Be mindful how you treat strangers, for you may unknowingly be entertaining your angel.

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Does your fur baby have mitral valve disease (MVD)? Are you interested in learning about Dr. Uechi’s mitral valve repair (MVR) surgery performed at the Bozon Veterinary Clinic with Drs. Jean-Hughes and Sabine Bozon? If so, contact any of the following USA-based families and ask them about their experience.

Initially please contact as indicated below and they will schedule a time to speak with you personally.

• Nate (Zoey Marie had MVR in October 2016) Email at zoeymarieestes@gmail.com or send a direct message on Instagram @zoeymarieestes
• Kari (Prudence had MVR in October 2016) Send a direct message on Instagram @dear._prudence
• Jeanne M. Peterson (Schnitzel had MVR in April 2016): Send a direct message on Facebook @ Jeanne M. Peterson
• Eve & Fred (Max had MVR in July 2016) Email at fhozer@mdgglobal.com

Contact the Bozon Veterinary Clinic for a complementary MVR consultation. Now servicing fur babies and their families from the USA and Europe.

Email: contact@cliniqueveterinairebozon.fr

Website: http://www.cliniqueveterinaire...