When Sara met Bernie in 2016, it was love at first sight. Their temporary foster situation quickly turned into an adoption and the most beautiful, loving friendship. Bernie is a 6-year-old scruffy, wiry, handsome dog with a larger-than-life personality. If Sam Elliott was a dog, he would be Bernie. He’s a beloved member (and “Sheriff) of the Barbara Hall Dog Park community — a place he eagerly visits each day to be with his pals and get butt scratches from anyone willing.

Over the Christmas holidays, Bernie quickly went from his usual vibrant, energetic self, to a dog weak and in extreme pain. The first of many trips to an emergency vet in Toronto showed internal bleeding from a tumour on his spleen resulting in a costly, life-saving surgery to remove the spleen and tumour, which later tests determined was a malignant hemangiosarcoma. Sara had to act quickly and Bernie is now undergoing chemotherapy, which is necessary — along with some expensive alternative treatments — to keep him alive. Without everything being done, he would only have a few months.

By the time all is said and done with Bernie’s surgery and treatments, Sara will have incurred over 20K in debt. The stress has been crazy for Sara – not only for the costs involved but the stress of watching her beloved best friend endure all the side effects of surgery and now chemo. She is doing everything she can to keep him eating and as strong as possible. Sara’s number one goal in pursuing this difficult journey, is to have Bernie live a good and healthy life for as long as possible. It’s an uphill battle, but hope is what is keeping her going. And this is where I’m asking for your contributions to help her make this a reality. Please help give Bernie a fighting chance to have that precious time with Sara. Every little bit helps and we are grateful for whatever donation you’re able to contribute. Together we can make a difference.