Help Clara Fight Canine Lymphoma

This is our sweet baby girl, Clara. She's a lot of things: a Goldendoodle, a "woo-woo-woo" talker, a luck dragon, a mama's girl, and the most affectionate cuddle-hound in the entire world. But as of two days ago, she is also a canine lymphoma patient. We learned yesterday that dogs diagnosed with this cancer are only expected to live for 4-6 weeks with no treatment, and we are unfortunately at least 2 weeks into this illness, so basically, our girl doesn't have much time. We have made two appointments for her at two different veterinary oncology clinics, but the first appointment we can get is still 2 weeks away. She is on a waitlist in case a spot opens up sooner, but in the meantime, there are supplements and dietary changes we want to try to make sure she survives long enough to begin a chemotherapy protocol. But this is all very expensive, and as a multi-generational household of five, with my senior mom who I also care for and who has multiple chronic medical conditions as well, we are unsure how we will ever begin to afford the treatment Clara needs so imminently. I have never in my life asked for help like this, but I simply can't let this girl go without exhausting every option, both medically and financially. She is only 3 years old and came into our family as a birthday gift for our 12-year-old daughter while still a small puppy. The kids will be devastated by this loss, and they have already had a very rough few years.

I also feel the need to divulge just what Clara means to me in particular. I have never had a dog that is more bonded to me than she is. She has to be touching me or within reaching distance ALL the time. She came into our lives at the end of the pandemic, when the kids had gone back to school, and it was mostly me who cared for her in those early days. We say she thinks I gave birth to her, but really, I feel that bond just as much as she does. In this time of transition, in which my kids are becoming more independent teenagers pushing away a bit from me (as they should), she is my near-constant companion. This sweet girl, who we rescued from a sketchy Craigslist ad and an even sketchier house, who cried as we drove away, leaving her littermate behind because we could not take them both, and who I promised in soft whispers that I would always take care of, always protect, always love--I can't save her now. Not forever. But as I sit here, typing this with her head resting in my lap while she softly nudges me with her nose for more pets, all I can think is, please stay...don't go...not right away...I haven't had the chance to love you enough yet.

With full treatment, she might live at least another 12 to 24 months, maybe longer if we are REALLY lucky. But cancer treatment for dogs can cost upwards of $10,000 when all is said and done, and we simply do not have the resources to manage that alone. So, I'm asking, if you're a friend, or just a fellow fur-parent who has loved a pet who was ever afflicted with this or any other terrible, aggressive disease, can you spare something to help us get Clara the care that might keep her with us at least a little longer? Or at least make what time she has left a bit more comfortable? Literally anything helps, and our family will be forever grateful. If you've read this far, thank you. If you can spare a few dollars, thank you. If you can't but you send out healing thoughts or pray for us and our sweet girl, thank you.