Help Xena Battle Cancer!!!

Hello! My name is Melissa Goldblatt and I am the proud adoptive Mom to a beautiful soul named Xena the Warrior Princess. She is a ~10 y.o pit lab mix who has been in my life since 2019. Thanks to Marrvelous Pet Rescue in the Fl Keys and a few amazing human beings, her life was saved when she was rescued after being dumped on the streets of Miami. Based on her health and behavior, it was obvious she had suffered a horrendous life of abuse, neglect, and betrayal (they estimated she was ~3-4 y.o). But it was also obvious the second we all met Xena that she IS A FIGHTER (thus her name)!

I took Xena in as a foster during the pandemic lockdown with zero expectation of adopting her, but it was absolutely love at first sight. After many months of helping this little girl get healthy and strong while teaching her how to trust - our connection grew and grew and well- I had FAILED at the whole foster thing and Xena was not going anywhere!

But what I did not realize was I didn't just help rescue Xena- she rescued me!

Fast forward almost six years later, I am blessed every day to have this smart, funny, sweet angel by my side! We have grown together, made memories together and there is not ANYTHING I would not do for her. Everyone who meets Xena falls in love with her spirit. She has overcome so much in her life and continues to show me how strong she is with each obstacle she must tackle. Her most recent obstacle- Cancer.

March 2nd, 2025- My girl went from normal and energetic to weak and lethargic like the snap of a finger. After bringing her into the vet we got the shocking grave diagnosis- Xena has multiple tumors on her heart and spleen and with her age & the size of the tumors, the risks are too high for any kind of surgery. We have seen several vets and specialists including a Cardiologist and an Oncologist up in Miami. They are all in agreement- her illness is terminal, and no one truly knows how much time she has left. It could be a day, a week, a month, a year. What we do know is she still has a very strong will to live and it’s not her time yet! After a lot of consideration, we decided to pursue a chemotherapy drug she can receive every 3 weeks that can help reduce the growth of the tumors and sustain her quality of life for as long as possible. Over 75% of dogs who receive this treatment never see any negative side effects that could impact their daily life and are able to live the life they deserve despite their diagnosis. On March 12th, Xena received the first of six treatments at the Pet Cancer Group in Miami and has responded very well.

To quote a friend of mine- “A Mom is a Mom is a Mom.”

I may not have children of my own, but Xena has taught me what it is to be a mom.

To choose to put someone else first before yourself. To climb mountains and fight battles to defend the ones you love. To dedicate more hours working just so you have more money to spoil them rotten and give them the world. And that sometimes you simply cannot do it alone!

Vet bills , hotel bills , travel and medication costs have quickly added up. I find myself struggling financially and only because of so many wonderful people who have reached out wanting to support us in this voyage, I have decided to make this GFM to share Xena’s story in hopes of receiving assistance so I can continue to dedicate my life to her health and wellbeing and to inspire others that abused & neglected animals can still accept and give love too!!!

Thank you so much for reading our story!! Xena and I promise to give back the love we receive to the world we know needs it so badly! Gratitude and appreciation fill our hearts more than you know.

Xena's Current Financial Breakdown-

Primary Vet Costs(Ultrasounds, X-rays, etc)- $800.00

Emergency Vet Costs (Ultrasounds, blood work, etc)- $1000.00

Cardiologist (EKG, Echo, etc)- $900.00

Oncologist (Blood work, Meds, etc)- $700.00

Chemo Treatments(~6 total)- $900.00 each

Daily Medication Cost- $300.00

Travel (Hotel/gas to vet specialists 3 hours away)- +$700