As many of you know, Ruca was recently diagnosed with a low grade Mast Cell Tumor (MCT). Upon biopsy, my greatest fears were confirmed. My baby, my heart, my companion, has cancer. I then began to search her entire dog body, finding four more (small, thankfully) suspected tumors. They have now been confirmed as MCTs, as well.

It is uncertain what the cause of MCTs are, but certain breeds seem to be more susceptible to developing them, and unfortunately, pitties are definitely poster children for these types of tumors. MCTs are a type of canine skin cancer that appears as a histamine lump on the skin, but untreated, this cancer can also affect the bone marrow, spleen, or liver. Since we are hoping Ruca only has low-grade tumors that can be completely removed surgically, she has a good long term prognosis, with studies showing survival times upwards of three to five years post removal. Many of these low-grade tumors that are promptly removed never recur or spread once removed, but the possibility still remains.

Please please help to raise the funds needed to get Ruca the surgery she needs, to have these tumors removed as soon as possible, before they have the chance to amass as high grade tumors. The cancer was caught early, but now needs to be treated as aggressively and as fast as possible. I plan to schedule her surgery for September.

Ruca is only 7 (too young), so with removal, the prognosis looks good. However, this is a costly process that no one saw coming, and with the events of life leading up to this point, my savings was depleted when I had to deal with my car and living situation. I was apprehensive to ask for help, but many have reached out asking HOW they could help. This pupper has a lot of friends that love her, and for that, I am truly grateful.

Please share this anywhere you can. This dog literally saved my life, now it's time to save hers!