Silly Aria's Cancer Cure Fund
Donation protected
Hello Everyone. My name is Shandi Huerena and this fund is for my beautiful American Bulldog, Aria. Yestereday, December 5, 2016, Aria was diognosed with Canine Osteosarcoma which is a bone cancer in dogs.
The Diognosis-
About 2 weeks ago we noticed Aria limping. It seemed she had hurt her front, right paw. We were concerned but hoped it was a sprain. We kept her off her foot as much as we could and we wrapped it up for her. 2 days later the limp was not getting better. I knew I must do something and so I took our precious girl to the vet. They did a usual exam and the vet said it was likely a sprain. She gave her anti-inflammatories and a painkiller. They told us to give her bedrest and keep it wrapped. We did what we were told but after the 10 days it still wasn't better. We took her to the vet yesterday and they did xrays and found the cancer.
The vet informed me that her leg had to go. She had said the best form of action was to amputate Aria's leg and hit her with strong chemotherapy. She had also said that they needed to do an xray of her lungs to see if it had spread and I'm pleased to report that it had not! The only place they see it is in her front right paw. They are confident that with amputation and chemotherapy Aria will make a full recovery!
Aria's History-
2013-2014 was an extremely hard year for me. I got unbearably sick and there were times I could not walk on my own or even take a shower without assistance. The illness lasted for nearly 2 years, but just before mother's day 2014 my husband announced something that would change my life for the better. He had said that he had found a litter of American Bulldog pups. It is my favorite breed and I had wanted one for years. He told me that he'd set up an appointment to go look at the litter to pick out one for me.
The moment I saw her there was no question that she was mine. She had 6 brothers and sisters but I knew she was perfect for me. 3 weeks later ( when she was 8 weeks old) we got to go back and pick her up. I was so excited! She curled up behind my neck and slept the whole car ride to Petsmart. It was nearly 2 hours! We got inside the store and I couldn't contain my excitement.
Every toy she sniffed at went right into the cart and she got her harness and collar and of course a new bed which in hindsight was a waste of money because on top of me would become her pillow of choice if not me then the couch. 
Aria and I bonded incredibly fast. I would be in my bed, depressed and this puppy, whose head was so big it threw her off balance when she ran, would peek her head around the corner of my door and yip then run away only to do it over and over like a silly game of peekaboo. Aria quickly became such a source of joy for me in a time where suicide was something I thought of on a daily basis. With Aria those thoughts went further and further from my mind. 
Aria just knew her new mommy was ill and she was always at my side. When she was six months old and 60 pounds she even started being a service dog for me. No training was needed, she saw the need and did it! She would help me stand by backing up to me and letting me grab her harness and she would pull me right up. When I walked up the stairs she would let me put my hand on her back for stability and she would go step by step with me, always patient. 
It's coming up on her 3rd birthday, March 20th to be exact and these three years have been so amazing. She is my best friend, my source of joy and comfort and of course the warmth that only a dog can bring. Even to this day I'm still her favorite thing to lay on at nearly 100 pounds but I'm still as okay with that now as I was when she was 15 pounds. 
She's not only special to me but to my two children as well. They have bonded with her and grown with her. She knows no one can throw a frizbee (her favorite toy) or a squeaky ball ( second favorite toy) like my son. For my daughter she is the best dressup friend. 
I am a nanny and the children I have nannied love Aria as well. They lay on her and dress her up and she's okay with that. She's in it for the dropped food from the highchair I think! 
Point is, she's everything to me and my family. She's the best dog we have ever had and the thought of losing her is heartbreaking.
Use of Funds Raised-
Everyone knows the cost of veterinary bills are incredibly expensive and vet offices do not accept payment plans. All of Aria's care is out of pocket and this has put my family in horrible financial straits. Her bill so far amounts to $1,505 before chemo treatments or post op expenses. I am asking today for help. We cannot do this on our own but we also can't lose our precious girl. The thought of that is far to terrible to imagine. Please, any and all help will be so greatly appreciated and go towards getting Aria the care she needs and deserves. Thank you all for reading and please, even if you do not donate, share this page on your social media for others who may be willing to help.
The Diognosis-About 2 weeks ago we noticed Aria limping. It seemed she had hurt her front, right paw. We were concerned but hoped it was a sprain. We kept her off her foot as much as we could and we wrapped it up for her. 2 days later the limp was not getting better. I knew I must do something and so I took our precious girl to the vet. They did a usual exam and the vet said it was likely a sprain. She gave her anti-inflammatories and a painkiller. They told us to give her bedrest and keep it wrapped. We did what we were told but after the 10 days it still wasn't better. We took her to the vet yesterday and they did xrays and found the cancer.
The vet informed me that her leg had to go. She had said the best form of action was to amputate Aria's leg and hit her with strong chemotherapy. She had also said that they needed to do an xray of her lungs to see if it had spread and I'm pleased to report that it had not! The only place they see it is in her front right paw. They are confident that with amputation and chemotherapy Aria will make a full recovery!Aria's History-2013-2014 was an extremely hard year for me. I got unbearably sick and there were times I could not walk on my own or even take a shower without assistance. The illness lasted for nearly 2 years, but just before mother's day 2014 my husband announced something that would change my life for the better. He had said that he had found a litter of American Bulldog pups. It is my favorite breed and I had wanted one for years. He told me that he'd set up an appointment to go look at the litter to pick out one for me.
The moment I saw her there was no question that she was mine. She had 6 brothers and sisters but I knew she was perfect for me. 3 weeks later ( when she was 8 weeks old) we got to go back and pick her up. I was so excited! She curled up behind my neck and slept the whole car ride to Petsmart. It was nearly 2 hours! We got inside the store and I couldn't contain my excitement.
Every toy she sniffed at went right into the cart and she got her harness and collar and of course a new bed which in hindsight was a waste of money because on top of me would become her pillow of choice if not me then the couch. Aria and I bonded incredibly fast. I would be in my bed, depressed and this puppy, whose head was so big it threw her off balance when she ran, would peek her head around the corner of my door and yip then run away only to do it over and over like a silly game of peekaboo. Aria quickly became such a source of joy for me in a time where suicide was something I thought of on a daily basis. With Aria those thoughts went further and further from my mind. Aria just knew her new mommy was ill and she was always at my side. When she was six months old and 60 pounds she even started being a service dog for me. No training was needed, she saw the need and did it! She would help me stand by backing up to me and letting me grab her harness and she would pull me right up. When I walked up the stairs she would let me put my hand on her back for stability and she would go step by step with me, always patient. It's coming up on her 3rd birthday, March 20th to be exact and these three years have been so amazing. She is my best friend, my source of joy and comfort and of course the warmth that only a dog can bring. Even to this day I'm still her favorite thing to lay on at nearly 100 pounds but I'm still as okay with that now as I was when she was 15 pounds. She's not only special to me but to my two children as well. They have bonded with her and grown with her. She knows no one can throw a frizbee (her favorite toy) or a squeaky ball ( second favorite toy) like my son. For my daughter she is the best dressup friend. I am a nanny and the children I have nannied love Aria as well. They lay on her and dress her up and she's okay with that. She's in it for the dropped food from the highchair I think! Point is, she's everything to me and my family. She's the best dog we have ever had and the thought of losing her is heartbreaking. Use of Funds Raised-
Everyone knows the cost of veterinary bills are incredibly expensive and vet offices do not accept payment plans. All of Aria's care is out of pocket and this has put my family in horrible financial straits. Her bill so far amounts to $1,505 before chemo treatments or post op expenses. I am asking today for help. We cannot do this on our own but we also can't lose our precious girl. The thought of that is far to terrible to imagine. Please, any and all help will be so greatly appreciated and go towards getting Aria the care she needs and deserves. Thank you all for reading and please, even if you do not donate, share this page on your social media for others who may be willing to help.
Organizer
Shandi Huerena
Organizer
Mechanicsville, VA