Chip Chick
According to Kim’s description, one of the stones was as large as a small watermelon, and another one was the size of a grapefruit.
Those stones would have to be removed surgically. And with Falcon’s surgery cost, plus his postoperative care, the medical expense was shooting up to a five-digit number.
Kim had also explained how Joan had been through an unimaginably difficult time for the past year-and-a-half.
With Covid hit, she lost Duane, her husband of 42 years, who loved her deeply, and the two were soulmates.
Following Duane’s passing, Joan also lost “Cowboy,” a Doberman that had stayed by her side through the worst of days, and Belle’s Peppy Boy, a champion cutting horse.
As if the passings weren’t difficult enough for Joan, the San Diego Zoo, an organization to which Joan had given so much of her life, gave her a notice during the worst time of her life that they would not renew her contract.
“After 51 years, there was no notice, no apologies – just the end of an era and the income that went with it,” Kim wrote.
Before the pandemic, Joan had done multiple events held at Pillsbury Ranch. She also did speaking engagements and educational programs as supplemental income. But all of those had frozen due to Covid.
With her daughter Holly staying beside her, Joan tries to be strong for her remaining family, including her beloved animals. But, before she can make another difficult decision, Joan needs to try out all the possibilities for Falcon.
“Joan is truly the most amazing woman I have ever known and ever had the privilege of calling a friend,” Kim wrote.
“She is not good at asking for help when she needs it the most, so I will ask for her and Falcon.”
