Save Effie: Help Our Boy Fight Lymphoma

(***Edited to update - I can't believe it's been four months already. We originally started this to help cover the costs of surgery, and Effie was able to get the surgery - thank you all so so much - more on that journey is in the updates. There is no doubt it saved his life. But unfortunately, due to an unforeseen downturn post op, the cost tripled and was over $30,000. I am at nearly $40,000 now with his care outside of the surgery and all the expenses associate with vet visits. I am gobsmacked, overwhelmed, and continuing to work it through. I raised the goal to get closer to that number, and hope we can get there and more to cover his continuing care. If I'm willing to say it out loud, outside of the emotional toll, this has been financially devastating. But he is here. He is in mostly good health. And in fantastic spirits. He continues to defy the odds, and to show the power of community, and what it is to be beloved.

In December, testing did confirm lymphoma, and I was told his prognosis without chemo was 4-6 weeks, but if we know anything about our boy, he is a fighter. We're well past that timeline now and working towards chemo both health wise and financially, I am hoping this helps us get there. The last few months have meant extreme and intense care of a different sort. During surgery medicine seeped into his leg and caused tissue damage. He has needed two skin grafts, and weeks more of hospitilization. If you've seen us around the hood with a bandage on (and half shaved), that is why. Thankfully, this is at no cost to me, but it has meant lost work time and lots of expenses in travel back and forth to the vet. We've been there multiple times a week for months now. It is just exhausting. But his leg is finally healing, and as soon as that is in a good place, we can move on to chemo. Overall we are feeling more optimistic we can get him there. A month ago, his surgeon told me none of them expected him to be doing so well, but that's Effie. He always proves them wrong. His nurse and I joke that he has opinions, and his opinion is that he wants to be here.

I am so grateful for all the support. We've gotten as far as we have, and he is still here because of you. . We love you all so. - Kerri (+Effie) )

Oh man. Where to begin. This is my perfect precious pup, Ephraim Blue, but most people just call him Effie. I'm struggling to find the words, so I'm going to just start at the top. He is a four and a half year old Dalmatian I adopted at the height of the pandemic. He saved my life. We just discovered he is in need of a potentially life-saving surgery that costs $12,000 to remove masses in his intestines.

Last year, at just three and a half years old, after some nasty stomach upset, we found masses for the first time. We did a cytology and it was inconclusive. The masses went away with just antibiotics and steroids. We all felt so lucky and chalked it up to some weird abscesses, maybe puncture wounds from eating a stick? He has spent the last year (really all of his life) bringing joy to everyone he has ever met. He is a dream dog, truly, I say having had dogs all my life. He goes to work with me and is the mayor of our neighborhood park, a community known for its deep love of dogs and strong community.

Then last week, the diarrhea began again. His vet recommended supportive care, and while it helped, something was still off. So yesterday we did an emergency ultrasound. The masses are back. His vet is recommending an exploratory surgery and has hopes it will be able to be completely cut out. It's the best chance he has. It may mean he can live the rest of his life out strong and healthy. But it costs $12,000.

The alternative would be band-aiding it again like we did last year, but we have no hope it will be a long-term solution.

I am devastated and don't know where to turn. My resources are tapped out from caring for him, but it feels like an impossible decision not to do the surgery.

These funds will help bridge the gap and get him the life-saving care he so desperately needs.

With so many thanks,

Kerri (and Effie)