On April 2nd, just one day before Meatloaf’s 11th birthday, I noticed something was very wrong. He was lethargic, wouldn’t get up, and refused to eat. His gums, ears, and paws were cold, and I knew I had to act fast. My mom and I rushed him to the nearest animal hospital, where he was seen immediately. The doctor diagnosed him with a pericardial effusion—fluid around his heart—and he needed emergency treatment and an overnight stay for monitoring. At first, it seemed like there was no mass or cancer, but two weeks later, a follow-up appointment revealed a 1cm mass on his heart. While we were still getting information, the doctor noticed fluid building up again, and Meatloaf had to stay overnight once more. That’s when he was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, a type of cancer. After a lot of thought, I decided to move forward with chemotherapy. He had his first treatment on April 15th, and he’ll need ongoing blood tests and chemo every three weeks. The hospital stays and tests have already been very expensive, and each chemo treatment adds to the cost. Meatloaf has had several treatments so far, and there may be more ahead if he keeps fighting. On top of that, I’m buying supplements like turkey tail mushrooms, beef heart, and Yunnan Baiyao, all recommended by his oncologist, to give him the best chance. Even with chemotherapy, there is a risk that his tumor could bleed again and fill his pericardium with fluid, which would be life-threatening. There are only so many times the fluid can be drained from his heart—right now, his heart feels like a ticking time bomb. I don’t know if I have days, weeks, or months left with this beautiful soul, but I want to do everything I can to give him more time and comfort. I always loved dogs but never knew how much I could love one until I adopted Meatloaf on March 29, 2020. We celebrated his 5th birthday together just days later, and he’s been my world ever since. I’ve changed my life to make sure he has the best possible, and we’ve shared so many adventures—road trips to Florida, Pittsburgh, and all around New Jersey. He’s loved by so many people, both in person and online, with his own TikTok and Instagram where people show their support. Meatloaf is a one-of-a-kind, beautiful soul who brings joy to everyone he meets. Besides this cancer, he’s a healthy, happy dog who loves people unconditionally and has been my emotional support through everything. I’ve donated to many GoFundMe campaigns myself, and now I’m asking for help for my best friend. Any support, no matter how small, would mean the world to us. Meatloaf deserves a chance to keep spreading joy and love, and I’m so grateful for anyone who can help us in this fight.