10/21/2026
Would you consider donating towards Mochi’s surgery?
❤️🐾 We need to raise $5,244.89 for Mochi's next surgery. And I want to tell you why this little girl means so much to us.
In December 2025, Project Freedom Ride learned about a senior citizen in Texas who had been admitted into a nursing home, leaving behind 12 dogs who suddenly needed somewhere to go. We were able to find rescue partners for 10 of them. But two old ladies, Mochi and Cricket, were older, bonded to each other, and had medical needs that made finding placement impossible.
So, in true PFR fashion, they came to us. ❤️
We knew they would need extra care. We just didn't know how much. In January, Mochi underwent a major surgery to remove both mammary chains and several large masses. That surgery cost approximately $5,000. Cricket had a major hernia surgery and eye enucleation costing near the same.
We hoped the hardest part was behind Mochi. Unfortunately, it wasn't.
Recently, Mochi was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, which led us to a specialist at BluePearl. Further testing and ultrasounds revealed a tumor on her right thyroid, where normal thyroid tissue could no longer be identified, and another mass on her right adrenal gland. The thyroid tumor is causing her body to produce too much thyroid hormone. We don't yet know whether either mass is cancerous.
After further discussions with her surgeon, the decision was made to remove both her right thyroid and right adrenal gland during the same surgery. And because Mochi also has a grade 3–4 heart murmur, we're still unsure whether she will need another cardiology evaluation before undergoing anesthesia. It's a lot for one little dog to go through.
Her surgery is currently planned for October 28, and the estimate from BluePearl is $5,244.89. That's for the surgery alone, any additional testing or cardiology care could increase the cost.
But here's the part of Mochi's story that means the most to me. Mochi loves my mom. And I mean REALLY loves my mom. ❤️ From the very first day Mochi arrived, there was something between them that none of us can really explain. It was actually quite comical. My mom has spent almost 10 years helping thousands of dogs through Project Freedom Ride. She's loved them, cared for them, fought for them, and cried over them.
But every once in a while, a dog comes along that's just different. I'm telling you - these two (Mom & Mochi) are cut from the same cloth LOL. We take Mochi and Cricket to adoption events, hoping someone will fall in love with them and give these two girls a forever home together.
And Mochi? She just sits there staring at my mom. 😂❤️
People come up to meet her. They talk to her. They try to get her attention. And Mochi couldn't care less. She's too busy watching my mom. It's like she's saying, "I already found my person. Why are we even here?" And maybe she's right. Maybe Mochi didn't come into our lives because she needed us to find her a home. Maybe she came into our lives because she'd already found one.
We've joked that Mochi and Cricket might just become permanent members of our PFR family, joining our other lifers — Derrick, Bobby, and Minnie the cat (with the Mangos). Time and funding will tell. And if I'm being honest, I wouldn't be surprised if that's exactly what happens.
But right now, we have to get Mochi through another major surgery. I know she's older. I know she's already been through so much. And I know that spending thousands of dollars on one dog when there are so many others needing help isn't a decision everyone would make. But I also know this.
Mochi's life matters!!
Her age doesn't make her less deserving. And to be fair she isn't that old. Estimates are between 7-10. Her medical problems don't make her disposable. And the fact that she's already needed so much doesn't mean we should stop fighting for her now.
She's happy. She's loved. And she has someone she looks at like she's her entire world. I don't think Mochi is ready to say goodbye to my mom. And I know my mom isn't ready to say goodbye to Mochi.
So today, I'm asking you to help us give this little girl another chance.
🙏🏼 OUR GOAL: $5,244.89 FOR MOCHI and by 10/28!!!
Every donation, whether it's $5, $10, $25, $100, or whatever you're able to give, gets us closer to covering her surgery.
If you can't donate, please share her story. Sometimes the right person seeing a post can make all the difference. We'll continue to share updates as we learn more about her heart and prepare for surgery.
I know that Mochi deserves every good day we can give her. And if those days are spent curled up beside my mom or her BFF Cricket, following mom around, keeping puppy fosters in line, or staring at Mom across an adoption event like she's the only person in the room...
Well, I think that's a pretty beautiful life. ❤️
Please help us make sure Mochi gets the chance to keep living it. Thank you for always believing in our dogs, especially the ones who need a little more help.
— Roman
Project Freedom Ride 🐾
❤️ Fundraising Goal: $5,244.89
🏥 BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital — Augusta, GA
📅 Planned Surgery: October 28, 2026
Venmo (last 4 of phone # 4416):
https://venmo.com/u/projectfreedomride
PayPal:
https://www.paypal.me/projectfreedomride
Website:
https://www.projectfreedomride.org/support-pfr.html
Checks via Mail:
Project Freedom Ride
PO Box 624
Evans, GA 30809
DONATE • SHARE • HELP US FIGHT FOR MOCHI 🙏🏼
