Please help Mykonos fight for his life!

Meet Mykonos! This sweet boy was rescued from South Korea a few months ago via Bunny's Buddies and we welcomed him home in November 2021. Mykonos has lived a terrible life and to watch him run free the last few weeks has been beyond incredible! He has so much zest for life and the most gentle soul. Unfortunately, his bad luck has not ended and he is still trying to escape death. From May - September, he lost forty pounds from a tick disease and was dying, in a kill shelter, starving and close to being eaten alive by other dogs. Thankfully Bunny's Buddies rescued him from that situation, but his battle wasn't over after escaping the shelter.

The Bunny's Buddies South Korean vet discovered a plethora of issues, including a bone cancer growing in a very rare location in his throat that will continue to grow and eventually cut off his airway leaving him with months to live. At the time I was grieving, as I just lost a soul dog to cancer a few days before, but my gut was screaming at me to step up for him even if his life was short-lived. He needed me and I decided to fight for him. Why would my fear of loss get in the way of giving a great life to an animal that has never been given a chance? I didn't care how much time he had or what his personality was like; I just knew he deserved a chance and that it was the right thing to do which is all that mattered.

Once he arrived last month, the work began! Time to get Mykonos as happy, healthy and loved as possible. After multiple consultations with oncologists in the US, it turns the location of his cancer is very unique. Apparently, he is only the 4th dog in the world to have it (that they know of). After more testing and being connected with other specialists, we decided that stereotactic radiation is his best chance at living a longer life. The oncologists think it could shrink the cancer and add 2 years to his life expectancy!!! TWO YEARS!

We have to act fast because the mass is growing and we can already hear the blockage when Myko breathes in certain positions. I was able to get him scheduled the first week in January! I will be traveling out of state and staying until treatment is complete. Rome's cancer was treatable locally in Nashville, as it is more common (14 months battling lymphoma - passed away Sept 2021), but the necessary radiation isn't available locally or even in TN. All 100% of the funds raised here will go towards Myko's medical bills/treatment. So far, his medical bills have been ~ $2,000 as he didn't qualify for pet medical insurance (I was able to get this for Seoul). The focused radiation treatment will cost upfront ~ $7,000 to $8,000 with additional follow-up visits to check progress. If we raise more money than is needed to cover his treatment, all additional proceeds will go to Bunny's Buddies to save more dogs like him!

Any donation or share is beyond greatly appreciated!! As many of you know, rescuing dogs in need is a huge passion of mine. I really struggle asking for help yet I felt encouraged when several people reached out saying they would like to help financially, as they want to support but do not have the capacity to take on dogs themselves. If you are one of those people, then I cannot thank you enough and I will rescue them in your honor. My promise back to you all is plenty of Mykonos updates and pictures, a continued journey of dog rescues and lots of love! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

For those of you still considering, here are a list of some of the costs associated with just the cancer (adoption and regular vet visits not included).

Tick disease, parasite, bacterial infection and skin sore meds ~$300

Consultation, Oncology Dept. $155 per visit

CT scans $325 per, 3 so far and expect more

Stereotactic Radiation ~$7,000 to $8,000 for 3 sessions in 1 week

Follow- up Meds ~$500-2,000

For reference, I paid out of pocket for Rome's chemo from Aug 2019 - Sept 2020 and in total it was approx. $15-17k.

Mentioned earlier, Mykonos does not qualify for insurance, as this was a pre-existing condition. I knew he had the cancer when I adopted and recognize this is hard for some people to align with. I want to show him that he deserves love and safety. Isn't that all any of us really want? To know that you'll be loved through the very end....to have someone with you your very last breathe. It is also one of the scariest things to imagine and to show up for. Rescue dogs really pull at my heart. They need us to show up the very most, because no one did their entire life. Now that I've been around Myko and have seen how much he wants to live and thrive, I want to do everything I can to extend his time here.

If you are still considering and prefer to be more in the know of his treatment plans and costs then please reach out to me and I will be transparent about the entire process. Thank you for reading and caring regardless of your donation participation!

Cheers to Myko!