My poor baby girl was recently diagnosed with terminal lymphoma cancer. She’s hated her vet visits so far, and it breaks my heart. A friend once told me that dogs live in the moment. They don’t think about tomorrow like we do. So why would she want to experience her present so scared and confused, just for me to have a little more time with her tomorrow? Life is expensive these days, and as Iris’s adoptive parent since she was a puppy, I’ve always tried to do a little more to make her life feel special. She hiked 12 Colorado 14ers all before a year old. We’ve spent a decent amount of vacation time in Monterey, California, and she fell in love with her beach time. Girl just loves all sorts of nature activities like camping and river rock hunting. We’ve been spending as much time as we can lately in the sun. Now, as she faces lymphoma, I want to give her the experience of swimming in the ocean one more time—a memory that means so much to both of us. If she didn’t mind the vet, maybe this would be a fundraiser for treatment, but it completely drains her every visit, especially now that the work is more extensive because of the cancer.

The funds raised will help cover the cost of diesel for the van our family is letting us borrow, so we can make this trip possible. Along the way, I want to make sure Iris is as comfortable and happy as she can be, so we’ll use the support for special meals, a little spa pampering, and anything else that will make her feel her best. Maybe a night or 2 away from camping or staying in the van for lodging. There’s also the reality of possible medical needs that could come up during the journey, and both Iris and her brother will need flea and tick medication to stay safe as we travel through areas where ticks can be a concern.

Any support you can give will help us make this journey unforgettable for Iris. Thank you for helping us give her the love and adventure she deserves. All donations will go to her and only her