Update 5/23:

Goal Amount is $500 to cover the cost of Ember's euthanasia, cremation with ashes back, and paw print. I've tried to edit the goal amount and while GFM shows I've edited it on my end, it is not reflecting that on this end. Just wanted to make that clear!

Ember is doing alright. She seems comfortable with the pain medication, and is loving all the cuddles, special meals, and ham (used to wrap her meds). I can tell she doesn't feel completely like herself, but boy, she sure is a trooper. She still runs to the door when I get home, all smiley and happy, hopping like she normally would, just on one front leg instead of two.

Monitoring her breathing with the cancer already spreading and metastasized in her lungs has been a big concern. So far she's doing okay on that end, just resting most of the time unless it's meal time, outside time, or mom gets home.

It's almost like she doesn't want to leave either — my giant shadow. But, when I know it's time, she'll be taken care of with so much love.

I'm so grateful for the donations I've already received — you truly have no idea how much the help means to me ❤️

UPDATE 5/20 @ 12:00 PM:

At 9:30 this morning we went to see the vet. After taking X-rays of Embers swollen leg and of her chest, the diagnosis is terminal osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, that has already spread to her lungs.

The vet said she would be surprised if we get two weeks. For now, she is home with painkillers given every 12 hours until she starts to decline. At that point, the best thing to do is humanely euthanize her.

I'd like to be able to afford the euthanasia and cremation with ashes returned and a paw print. The estimate given for all of that plus tax was $443.53.

If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it immensely.

To have part of her back with me after she's gone would help my grief journey so much.

My first baby...I'm so grateful for the 7 years I've had with her but no amount of time would have ever been enough

This beauty is Ember Noelle. A gentle giant who still doesn't know her weight or size at 7 years old. My first puppy. The best friend with paws that came into my life right when I needed her — 9 months before my mom died.

Her front right ankle has been a little swollen for a bit, but has recently gotten worse. Previously, she has sprained her ankle but it got better with time and less weight on it, to the point where she was back to putting full weight on it. This time though, that's not the case.

With the nature of the economy today and being the only one working in my home, I can't afford to bring her to the vet. My life hasn't always been this way — one time I brought one of my cats to the vet for what I thought was a claw that curved into her toe pad and broke off...it was a corn, and absolutely harmless. The vet laughed. I was relieved, and happy to pay the cost of the appointment fee.

If I could bring Ember in myself I would right now, let alone would have already. Money is tight for so many, this I know, but if anyone can spare anything, I would appreciate it. Even a share can help.

The current goal is $5,000 to cover an array of potential costs. I know I'm looking at at least x-rays (with anesthesia because she hates being held down and is high anxiety in any setting away from home) and likely blood work to help diagnose exactly what's going on. I'm also accounting for the possibility of a surgery and aftercare. Any money that is raised and not used for this issue will be saved and used for other vet expenses in the future (checkups, rabies shots, etc.)

All I know is I can't lose my best friend. After so much loss these last 7 years of both parents and multiple pets, I just know losing Ember would absolutely break me.

Thank you for your time. And thank you for any help you are able to extend.