Help give Otter a second chance

What’s going on?

In March of this year, Otter started limping. Fast forward a few months, several visits, and a few expensive vet bills.. we learned that Otter has a tumor in her right shoulder.

As it happens, our family was in the process of relocating out of state. This means stating any aggressive treatment was out of the question. Since then, we have established care at a vet near our new home. The pressure of the clock ticking and the financial burden has left us in a tough position. As her condition is only declining without intervention, we are running out of time to do something to save our girl.

From here, we need more imaging to see how the cancer has spread. We are heading down a path of amputating the affected leg. Assuming imaging shows us that the condition is localized, we think that amputation will give our girl a second chance. We still have the option of seeing a veterinary oncologist, but all of our options are pricey.

No one ever hopes to be in the position of having care available, but not being able to afford it, but this is where we have been.

We are reaching out to our village. To our friends, our family, our community. We appreciate anything you can do to help us help our girl.

Who is Otter?

Otter is my emotional support animal. She is a catahoula leopard mix, adopted at 3 months old in March of 2014.

I was looking for my own dog, as a young adult. I knew I wanted a working breed and a good pup to support me. I went to the local shelter and walked around, looked at all the dogs and talked with the volunteer worker. All the time, this little dog was following me. The little dog was Otter. I asked about her and was told she was in foster care. The shelter was looking for the perfect match for her. Being a working breed, they wanted someone who was ready for a challenge. I instantly fell in love. I happened to have grown up with a border collie mix, so they trusted me. The rest? History.

She has been my rock. I’m not ready to give up on her.