My name is Michael. I am the daddy of Rocky, a Dogo Argentino who will be 5 in March of this year. Rocky was diagnosed with lymphoma on January 6th of this year. At first, it started as him not wanting certain foods and taking long urinations all through December. At first, the vet was convinced it was a slight kidney problem. As time went on, his condition just got worse with rapid weight loss. Trips to the vet with blood work showed nothing. Around Christmas, Rocky was hardly eating and vomiting bile. The vet suggested a special food, but Rocky would not eat. On January 6th, I decided to try and give Rocky the one thing I knew he would never say no to...Pizza. Rocky would not touch it. I called the vet, and they had me look at his gums; they were near pale white. We rushed him to the emergency vet, and after they looked him over, they discovered his glands had become the size of golf balls. After testing, it was determined he had lymphoma. We were told he had maybe 2 weeks at most if we did not get treatment started immediately. The ER vet we had gone to did not have the services for his treatment. We then rushed to the Vet of the Rockies to get him an injection of Elspar that could buy him some time while we decided what to do. After speaking with oncologist Dr. Arthur the next day, who was nice enough to get us in despite being 21 days booked out, she informed me that Rocky had 2-4 months if we just did the Elspar and steroids but could be saved long term by CHOP. This, of course, would cost around $15,000. I was so lost as both my dogs are my children, but I didn't have that kind of money as my business was not doing well.

After the shot and consultation, we had thought it was best to just keep him comfortable for the next 2-4 months. One morning, I woke up to Rocky just looking at me with his big brown eyes almost as if he was saying, "Don't give up on me, daddy."

I used what money I had left to start the chemotherapy. It was the last of my money with no clue how to pay for the next treatments.

I closed my business and am currently trying to sell its assets. This will take time and no promise of what I will get. I expect pennies on the dollar and have debt to settle. I am out of money with the vet bills in the last 30 days.

I am begging for anyone who can help to donate so I can save my baby boy Rocky. Rocky is a pinball machine of energy who loves attention. He is such a sweet boy whose dad can't even type this without being in tears because that's how much he is loved.