Hi everyone, my name is Kaitlin, and I’m fundraising to help pay for surgery and ongoing care for my beloved Boxer, Josie.

Josie was first diagnosed with mast cell tumors in 2023. She has already gone through two major surgeries to remove cancerous growths on her chest, armpit, and back leg — all of which were visible externally. Over the past six months, however, she began having trouble with her back legs — wobbling when she walked and struggling with coordination.

After several vet visits and X-rays, we discovered spondylitis in her hips and started her on pain medication, hoping it would help. A month later, she had her first seizure, then another a few weeks after that. We were referred to a neurologist for further testing, and after an MRI, we finally got some answers — but not the kind I was hoping for.

The MRI showed a large mass in her abdomen, protruding into her pelvic cavity. The veterinarians believe it’s located between her colon and bladder, pressing on both. This pressure is likely affecting her nerves and causing the weakness in her legs. The mass has an unusual texture, and right now, they can’t tell what type it is or whether it has spread.

Before surgery, Josie also had to undergo an echocardiogram due to a heart murmur. The test revealed a narrow heart valve and possible Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a heart condition that causes irregular rhythms. She’s currently wearing a 24-hour heart monitor to ensure she’s stable enough for surgery.

Josie’s exploratory surgery is scheduled for this Friday. They’ll start by taking chest X-rays to ensure the cancer hasn’t spread to her lungs, and then attempt to remove the abdominal mass. Unfortunately, because of where the tumor is located, they may not be able to remove it fully. In that case, they’ll biopsy it and remove as much as possible to make her more comfortable and help with her mobility. Depending on the results, we may need to consider radiation or chemotherapy next.

So far, I’ve spent $7,651.05 on her diagnostics, medications, and specialist care. Her upcoming surgery is estimated to cost at least $7,310.68, assuming there are no complications.

Josie has been my baby since she was almost two years old. Before that, she was my mom’s dog, but we always had a special bond — and when I moved out, my mom let me take her with me. We’ve been inseparable ever since. She comes with me to work every day, loves meeting people, and even participates in monthly dog photo shoots (though she mostly tolerates them for me ).

She’s 8½ years old now — still full of love, wiggles, and belly rub requests. She truly is my world, and I’m doing everything I can to give her the best chance possible.

I’ve taken a few weeks off in-person work so I can care for her after surgery, though I’m still working remotely to keep up with her medical expenses. Any contribution, no matter how small, would mean the world to us. And if you can’t donate, simply sharing this campaign would help more than you know.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read Josie’s story. ❤️

— Kaitlin & Josie