Starr Gay and Steve Forman first brought their pug puppies, Sassie and Sissy, to The Village Vets in the fall of 2007. Sissy was a robust and healthy looking puppy. Sassie, on the other hand, had failed to keep up with her sister and was very small for her age, lacking the energy of a normal puppy. After a series of diagnostic tests, Sassie was diagnosed with a portosystemic shunt which caused her liver to be underdeveloped and prevented her from thriving like her sister. Starr and Steve were determined to save her. We referred Sassie to the UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital to see if her shunt could be corrected surgically. Time was running out for Sassie, her liver was functioning very poorly and her condition was nearing a critical state. Luckily her shunt was one that could be corrected. She underwent surgery and within weeks her liver was beginning to function like a normal healthy organ. Sassie's change was amazing over the next few months, her weight and size increased at a rapid rate and she began to act like a normal, healthy and playful puppy. Today she is a healthy and thriving adult, there is no sign of the rocky start she had.

Starr and Steve were inspired by Sassie's successful treatment and very grateful they were able to afford her surgery. After seeing a report on the news about a dog that was brutalized and the generous spirit of a good samaritan that took in this stray dog and got him the care he needed, they decided to do something. This was the beginning of Sissy and Sassie's fund.

All donations for Sissy & Sassie's Fund can be forwarded to:

Sissy and Sassie's Fund

The Village Vets of Lilburn/Stone Mountain
Attn: Mark Hildebran
1227 Rockbridge Road
Ste 300
Stone Mountain, GA 30087

Donations made to Sissy and Sassie's Fund are not tax deductible.

You may also make a donation safely and securely online via Paypal:

If you have any questions, please call 770.717.1650. (A receipt will be sent to your return or email address.)

Thank you!