On Tuesday, July 1st, around 3pm, my dad and I were at the vet for our beloved dog, Zola. A few weeks earlier, she had been diagnosed with a torn ACL in her back right leg, and this appointment was to decide whether we should move forward with a surgery that was going to cost $3,000. Unfortunately, the cost was too high for us, so we made the difficult decision to hold off.

While we were there, something felt off. Zola, who normally pants and gets anxious at the vet, was strangely calm and was just laying on the floor. We brushed it off and started heading back to the car. I picked Zola up to help her into the back seat of the car, and as soon as I placed her down, she collapsed. Her tongue was sticking out of her mouth and she wasn’t responding to her name. I rushed to get my dad and we asked a nurse to check on her immediately.

We brought Zola back inside and the vet quickly took her in for scans. When the doctor returned, he told us Zola had to be put on oxygen—she was struggling to breathe. That’s when our hearts sank. He explained that Zola had multiple masses on her spleen, and one had ruptured, causing severe internal bleeding. The likely cause? Hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive and fast-spreading cancer.

We were told that Zola needed emergency surgery right away or she wouldn’t survive. We rushed her to the emergency vet and they confirmed the diagnosis. They told us if we hadn’t already been at the vet when the mass ruptured, Zola likely wouldn’t have made it. The surgeon explained she could have 2–4 months left with just the surgery, or 6–9 months with chemotherapy. We were told the surgery could cost as much as $12,000. Luckily, it was $11,000 that we were able to put onto the Care Credit account.

We were overjoyed to hear later that evening that the surgery was a success, and three days later, we were able to bring Zola home. Seeing her again brought us so much happiness and relief.

Unfortunately, this is not the end of Zola’s cancer journey. The cancer is spreading through her blood, and now we have to consider other alternatives to help extend her life and keep her comfortable. Chemotherapy, along with some holistic supplements, has been shown to extend the lives of dogs with this condition for a year or more. Now, we are faced with another difficult, financially overwhelming decision.

This experience has come during an already painful time for me and my family. In March 2025, my grandma was diagnosed with cancer, and we lost her on June 9th. Just a few weeks later, hearing that Zola also has cancer has been absolutely crushing. I can’t bear to go through another loss like this so soon since I am only 16 years old. All I want is more time with Zola—time to give her love, comfort, and the life she deserves for as long as we possibly can.

Zola has been by my side for the past 8 years—my protector, my best friend, my everything. I am asking for help to cover the cost of chemotherapy, holistic supplements and part of her surgery. If you’re able to donate anything at all, it would mean the world to us. Every little bit helps and we will keep you updated on Zola’s journey.

Thank you so much for reading, sharing, and supporting Zola.