Hello. My name is Sean, and I would like help raising money for my dog, Hercules's, chemotherapy treatments. Late April, during an annual checkup, Hercules's vet found a tumor in his anal gland. We went through several diagnostics (x-ray, ultrasound, fine needle biopsy, among a few) and he had his first surgery to remove the tumor and have it biopsied. The cancer had spread. I took time off work to bring Hercules and spend time with him (my job has since told me that they haven't budgeted for me during the summer, an extenuating circumstance for me). Since then, he's been to an oncologist, had a CT scan, had a second successful surgery to remove the lymph node where the cancer spread, and he's had two treatments of chemotherapy. The cancer is at the microscopic level, and the chemo is aimed to kill off the cancer at that micro level and give Hercules a good quality of life. The prognosis isn't simple. The oncologist said this type of cancer is quite variable. He can have several months or several years left, depending on the cancer. Throughout all this, Hercules has been a tough cookie. Healing like a champ and wagging his tail the whole way. It would be impossible to know he was sick from looking at him.

Hercules is a sweet boy. When I adopted him, he was six months and had only known life in the shelter since he was born there. Rescued from a high-kill shelter in Alabama, he was skittish and shy. The shelter named him Hercules out of irony. However, the name was perfect for him. In fact, it's one he grew into. While he still has his shy, easily scared side, he has been the most loyal and loving companion to me. He does all he can to protect me including barking at men walking towards me, licking my face when I'm too sweaty, and cuddling with me at night so no one comes to kidnap me. I have another dog, Speck, who Herc has been such a good brother to.

Right now, I need help. The only job I have left is as an adjunct professor, so I don't get paid over the summers and won't get paid until after a month of teaching. I have been looking for summer gigs, while also doing my best to spend time with my dogs since I don't know how much time we have left together. As I mentioned, Herc is two treatments into his chemo, and his next treatment is also a checkpoint, running diagnostics to see if the chemo is having a positive impact while also checking to see if the cancer is responding to treatment. I had $15,000 in my savings which was for us to relocate, but circumstances meant changing plans. That money is all but gone, and anything given would be immensely helpful. Please know that I'm selling my things and looking for work. This is not the only avenue I'm pursuing for money.