Hi everyone,

We’re Tom and Josh, proud dog dads to our sweet pup, Winston — a 5½-year-old Shepherd/Staffordshire mix with a huge heart and an even bigger personality. We rescued Winston at just 8 months old, right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and from the moment he came into our lives, he’s been our family, our light, and truly our son.

Winston is the kind of dog who makes everyone smile — a lovable, energetic, goofy soul who wins hearts wherever he goes. He’s brought us endless joy, comfort, and companionship through life’s ups and downs. Now, Winston is facing the biggest challenge of his life — and we’re doing everything we can to fight alongside him.

Two weeks ago, we noticed Winston was breathing heavily and had developed a slight limp. We took him to the animal hospital, where the initial exams revealed a soft tissue mass near his lymph nodes, close to his heart. The mass appears to be pressing against his trachea, making it hard for him to breathe.

We went home with medication and scheduled a follow-up with a veterinary surgeon — but before that appointment, Winston’s condition worsened. His leg became severely swollen, and the limp became more painful. We rushed him back, and he was scheduled for a CT scan and biopsy.

The CT scan uncovered a second mass in his chest/armpit area, which seems to be the source of the swelling and possibly linked to the other mass. It additionally uncovered fluid accumulating in Winston's lungs. As we wait anxiously for the biopsy results, the surgeon has shared that this could be a malignant tumor. It’s heartbreaking, but we’re doing everything we can to stay strong for Winston.

As you can imagine, the medical bills have quickly piled up — from emergency visits, scans, and medications to upcoming treatments that may include surgery and/or chemotherapy. We’re now at a place where we need to ask for help in order to continue giving Winston the care he needs.

We’re humbly reaching out to our community — friends, family, and fellow animal lovers — for support. Whether you’re able to donate or simply share Winston’s story, we are deeply grateful for any help you can offer.

Thank you for standing with us and our sweet Winny.

With love and gratitude,

Tom, Josh, and Winston ❤️