Dear Dr. Downing:
My wife and I just wanted to thank you again for all your help with Mochi. Before we brought him to Crossroads he was weak, feverish and miserable and we had to rub food on his fur just to get him to eat. You and Dr. Seshadri got Mochi back on his feet (albeit a little wobbly) and gave us hope that he could beat the cancer, if only for a little while. We especially appreciated the fact that you always made us feel as though Mochi’s condition was as important to you as it was to us.
We’d also like to thank your excellent staff, especially Carole and Travis, who were always friendly, as well as professional, and, again, always made us feel that our little cat was special.
We said goodbye to Mochi on the evening of that last Saturday that I spoke to you on the phone about his condition when it became clear that he just wasn’t going to get any better. A friend of ours that works at our local vet’s office came over and helped us, so Mochi’s last hours were spent enjoying the grass and the fresh air of his own back yard.
Enclosed is a picture of Mochi from better days. If he looks like he had a bit of a chip on his shoulder, that’s because he did. On the other hand, he had an equally strong need to be loved and to feel that he belonged somewhere. It was our great joy and privilege to provide that love and that home. I’m sure you understand how much we miss him even now.
Thanks again for all your help. I can’t express how much it meant to us to spend those last few weeks with Mochi and how much it prepared us for and eased the pain of the ultimate outcome. The best thing out of all this is that we got to become acquainted with you and Dr. Seshadri and learned about Crossroads.
Sincerely,
Virgil and Kimianne Thomas
Our Beloved Lucky
To The Veterinary Cancer Group
We know Lucky is in a much better place, barking at passersby and chasing lizards and rabbits. We are grateful for all your efforts to cure her. Your caring treatment will always be cherished and made her passing easier.
The Howlands
Dr. Rosenberg, this is Judy, Buddie’s mom. Because your time is so precious during the day, I didn’t want to keep you as long as it would take to tell you something important. I wanted to find the words that could convey as accurately as possible what you need to know. So please pardon that this is coming to you in an email rather than in person.
First of all, thank you, thank you, thank you so much for doing what you do. I know I can’t keep my Buddie forever but you have given us so much more time together than I ever thought we could have. Her quality of life is so wonderful right now. She is playful, anticipatory, always ready to play, be brushed, or just sit with. In short, she’s like a puppy. I found her when she was full grown (abandoned while pregnant) and she ended up having 13 puppies (it took nine months to place every one of them in fabulous homes, and $40,000 to redo our backyard when it was all said and done). I never had the chance to see what she would be like if she were unburdened with pregnancy, arthritis, or any other diseases older dogs get. Until now. However long we can keep her going like this is a gift from God through you. The words to describe my gratitude have yet to be invented.
There is another reason for my wanting to write to you. I want you to know what goes on in your office when you aren’t looking. I don’t know where you found these people, and in truth, I didn’t even think there were enough people like these to actually staff a large clinic like yours, but your staff has got to be the greatest group of people ever put together for a mission of love. They are not only professional to a fault, but so accommodating, so attentive, and so willing to go to do their utmost to make the owners feel like they will never fall through the cracks. As an owner I receive as much love by these people as my Buddie does. Your staff deserves the highest praise and commendation for being so much more than people doing a job.
I have also noticed how much your office tries to keep the price affordable whether it’s by donating meds, or whatever, but you have made me feel like you would never abandon Buddie because of the price. I am so blessed to be able to afford the medical care for her, and your staff has given me venues to see if there is an organization who could help with the costs, but it is so clear to me that you don’t try to squeeze your clients out of every last nickel (which could easily be done when it comes to the love of animals). Your heart is in the right place and it has not gone unnoticed.
It is a very difficult thing to have to get Buddie in the car, leaving Wolfie (one of her puppies whom we kept and has never been away from his mother) to literally scream when Buddie is taken for a few hours. He has a baby sitter whenever we go, but he still cries the entire time she’s gone. It makes it even more difficult when I think of where we are going and why. But I actually look forward to taking her now. She loves the car ride, I love the time with her, and your staff has made this just about the easiest thing to do. I was NEVER able to take her or Wolfie to the vet or even for their grooming because it’s too much for me. My poor husband has had that job since Buddie arrived. Now I take her alone and actually look forward to it. KUDOS to you and your exceptional staff!!
Each and every one of them deserves so much for this because what they do is HUGE. I think if I tried to tell you in person, I wouldn’t get passed the first sentence without tearing up. I love each and every one of you for the miracles, the love, the acceptance and attention both Buddie and I receive when we walk through your doors.
With heartfelt appreciation, I remain yours truly,
Judy and Buddie, of course
Dear Dr. Rosenberg,
Fillmore had his first round of Chemo yesterday at City of Angeles with Dr. Downing. I came in in tears and I can't tell you how quickly the staff and Dr. Downing put me and Fillmore at ease. The staff was so sweet to the Fills and he couldn't get enough Biscuits. Dr. Downing spent so much time with me and Fills that I felt almost embarrassed at how unraveled I had become. Once they took him, every 20 to 30 minutes or so, someone came out to tell me how he was doing as I was worried that maybe I should have gone in with him. They said they did not have to muzzle him and that he was really good for the staff and still eating Biscuits. There is a girl there named "Kirsten" who I am sure is an Angel in Disguise. Fillmore really liked her the best as she was not afraid of him when he started barking to try to intimidate her. She just grabbed his face and kissed him as he then licked her in return. I could see a bond had formed as every time we have been in there she is the first to seek him out and give him a hug and of course a biscuit. When he came back from the treatment he was just as calm as when he went in. Not traumatized at all and still wanting biscuits. So far he has not been sick and seems pretty much like himself. Thank you so much for taking the time to e-mail me with your kind words and support. Your facility there is amazing and so is your staff and of course Dr. Downing who has an aura of calm and serenity I wish I could bottle and buy. I can't seem to Thank You enough, I would recommend you guys to the world!
Gratefully,
Linle & Fillmore
My beautiful Destiny was diagnosed with lymphoma on September 29, 
2005. We began chemotherapy the following week with Dr. Mary Davis at VCG in Culver City. Destiny has been in complete remission now for more than three years and completed chemotherapy on March 21, 2006. I
can't tell you how grateful we are~not just for such wonderful results but for having such a kind, caring, compassionate oncologist. Destiny is my miracle...and my heart!
Lynn Stone