Hello, I am Bodhi's mama, Tammy Allured. This is not something that I wanted to do- ask for help or for Bodhi to be in the position he is in with his health, but I am not sure what else to do. It is not easy for me to ask for help- I am one of those fiercely independent people, but I do need… help. Bodhi needs help; I suppose that is why I am humbling myself. I love that darn dog with all my heart!

Bodhi is such a big part of our family. We love him immensely. What he has added to our lives- even with his indulgently stubborn personality- is a blessing beyond belief. Indescribable. Joy beyond measure. He has been such a light in our lives, especially for my daughter. Well, especially for me too.

We adopted him when he was four years old- he will be fifteen on March 4th- and he came to us from a hellish situation; he was chained up outside at all times through all kinds of weather and was even shot by his previous owners, and who knows whatever else went on before he came to us. I know that we have given him a really good life. A really, really, really good life! We have always showered him with our love and attention, taken him on so many travels (he’s a great traveler!), have fed him well, spoiled him well, kept up with any medical concerns, but...

... About a month and a half ago I noticed a lump on his right leg, by the back of that knee. I read up and saw that "fatty growths" are very common on elderly dogs. I was hoping it was just that and I decided to wait and watch. However, after a couple of weeks of first noticing the lump it began to grow rapidly and even began to bleed. I took him to our vet and was told that it was most likely lymphoma but they would need to do a biopsy and bloodwork to be sure. That cost was just under $500. Something I could not afford but wanting to do what was best, I asked that if it came back definitive that it was lymphoma could they remove it? The vet said, "no"; because of Bodhi's general health, age, and the size and location of the tumor they would not remove it. I asked if it came back NOT lymphoma could they remove it, but again he said, "no", and for the same reasons. So, I did not agree to go ahead with the bloodwork and biopsy since it would prove no benefit; only offer a definite diagnosis.

The vet seems certain it is lymphoma though, and told me that we need to think about the inevitable because we don't want him suffering. But, I wasn't ready to hear that. I walked out still filled with hope. Hope that the vet was wrong and it was just something temporarily wonky with his body and would heal, or that it would just slow down in it’s growth and give me time to research and implement a perhaps natural way to heal him. But, it just keeps growing and getting worse. And at a speed I feel like I can’t keep up with without doing something about it.

He is having trouble walking and falls down a lot. He is bleeding a lot. He is in obvious pain. However, in spirit, Bodhi is still full of his love for life and for us. His tail is still wagging in bliss, he is present with us, and strangely will even kick up to short spurts of running when we go for a walk. As if to say, nothing can hold him down. His spirit is so alive but his body is failing him. I can’t believe how quickly this all happening!

I am a single mom with full physical custody of my daughter. I work full-time as an instructional assistant and work at an alternative public school with children with severe autism and other cognitive disabilities, as well as some with physical disabilities. I usually do well living on a budget and providing well for my daughter, but we pretty much live month to month. Recently I have fallen into a hole though with a piling of expensive car repair bills and us moving in a week. I am stretched thinner than usual and with no one to take the wheel, or help with the financial responsibility of a sick dog.

At this point I cannot even afford to take Bodhi back to the vet. It is my hope that I can raise money to get a second opinion for him, help with the care he needs for the bleeding and pain (the last pain med that was prescribed by his vet made him throw up all night but I can’t get anything else for him without bloodwork), and perhaps even see what options we have beside having to let him go. I have read about chemotherapy and even amputation. I would much prefer a three-legged Bodhi than no Bodhi.

So, I am humbly asking for help with this. I can’t bear to simply sit back and do nothing. I am feeling helpless right now but not hopeless. Thank you with all of my heart for anyone who has read all of this, for anyone who has decided to help even if just in a small way, or anyone who will send healing thoughts or prayers Bodhi’s way. Thank you with all our hearts.