I adopted Hades from the Belmont Co Ohio Animal shelter in 2018. He was already six years old and he's been with me for seven more life-changing years. He was sent there with his brother (the shelter split them apart) when their elderly owner died. When I met him he was alone and scared. They kept him in the office because the other dogs barking scared him. When I came to meet him, he climbed into my lap and almost onto my head! The staff said, he's a climber! I said so am I! (Clymer)

He's been with me through everything:

A marriage, a divorce, a second dog, covid lockdown, my medical issues, his medical issues, when my sister died, when my mom died, several moves, my pregnancy, and now living life with a toddler .

Aside from his salt and pepper hair you'd never guess his age by his attitude!

Hades is diagnosed with epilepsy and pancreatitis. He's been on meds at least these seven years and does well with vets and following doctor's orders. Recently his face swelled and it was discovered he had a mass at the back of his mouth by his tongue. It was removed the beginning of October 2025 and has already started coming back.

Hades needs radiation for six weeks and melanoma vaccine shots (4x then one every six months).

We need $12k(ish) . 6k for the radiation. The vaccine is 5,320 for four shots then $1,330 every six months for the boosters. He CAN go without the shots for now. He CANNOT survive this without the radiation. The shots will help keep him healthy and keep the melanoma from growing back.

I've applied / am applying to EVERY charity who donates money for the care of rescue dogs.

I say everyone gets one good gofundme in their lives... hopefully this will be the only one we will ever need. I don't want to ask for help when everyone is hurting or strapped financially, and if it was just for me I probably wouldn't ask.

We are at a stopping point until we reach 6k. They cannot start radiation until then. Our option is fund raising. That's just where we're at.

Yes, we have a 2.5 year old child. Yes, we have another dog. Yes, Justin needs a new car. Yes, we want to get out of this apartment and into a house one day. Yes, money is scarce. Yes, we're going to try to save Hades. He is not a car, or an object. His only pain right now is in his mouth where the melanoma is contained and they said it's like a toothache at this point. It has not spread and we need to stop it before it does.

He is still himself. He eats well and runs the house. He's a menace. He's ungovernable. He's my best friend. If he were giving up things may be different, but he's not. He's still absolutely himself. I'm not forcing him to hold on, I'm helping him do what it seems he still wants to do.

If you can, please help. If not, give us a share and some good thoughts.