My Beelzebub, better known as Bubby or Beelzebubby, has been by my side since he was seven weeks old. Now he needs cancer treatment, and I’m asking for help making it possible.

I’m raising $8,968 for stereotactic radiation therapy to help shrink his tumor, improve his comfort, and hopefully achieve remission. His doctors believe he’s a candidate for treatment, and I want to give him that chance.

Bubby was the first dog I got as an adult. He’ll turn 14 in January, but before this cancer began affecting him, he was still thriving with no signs of slowing down. A little hellion, my ride or die, a couch hotdog with a touch of Napoleon syndrome. Anyone who has met him probably has a Bubby story about him being bad or dramatic.

I want to give him the chance to keep making those stories.

What’s been happening

What started as a slow onset of straining to poop and then pee turned into months of appointments and testing. His regular vet investigated constipation, blockage, anal gland problems, infection, and inflammation before imaging revealed a mass involving his prostate and urinary tract.

Since then, his regular veterinarian and the specialists at PetCure Oncology have worked through bloodwork, urinalysis, BRAF testing, X-rays, ultrasounds, and a CT scan. The CT also identified a nearby lymph node that appeared suspicious, although his oncologist believes it is more likely inflamed rather than cancerous.

At home, Bubby now needs belly bands for urinary leakage and help keeping his bottom clean. I’ve adjusted our routine around his needs, but I want to address what’s causing the difficulty and help him feel better.

The treatment we’re working toward

Stereotactic radiation therapy, or SRT, uses carefully targeted radiation to treat the tumor while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

Bubby’s proposed plan involves three treatments over three consecutive days, with anesthesia for each session. Compared with the conventional radiation option we discussed, which involves many sessions over several weeks, this means fewer hospital visits and fewer times under anesthesia.

The goal is to shrink the tumor and relieve the difficulty he’s having when trying to pee and poop. There are risks and no guarantees, but his doctors have given me reason to hope treatment could improve his comfort and give him more time. The ultimate goal is full remission, of course.

His quality of life will guide every decision. I want more time with him, and I want that time to feel good for him, too.

What your support will help cover

I’ve already spent $6,619 on his appointments and diagnostics:

I’ve covered those expenses through savings and some financing. Radiation has not started, and those expenses do not include it.

The $8,968 fundraising goal is for his estimated radiation treatment, rather than reimbursement for what I’ve already spent. I’m sharing his estimate and some medical records so you can see what has brought us here and what your support would help make possible.

I’m also raising what I can by reselling clothes and preparing my older car to sell, with the proceeds going toward his treatment. I’m fortunate to be able to share my dad’s truck for now. So trust me, I’m doing what I can, but I need help closing the gap.

Why I’m asking

Caring for others has always been a big part of my life, from working part time in veterinary medicine, rescuing and fostering animals, to caring for my mom during her cancer and now being a caregiver for my dad. Being on the receiving end of that help feels unfamiliar. I’m hyper-independent and used to figuring things out myself, but for Bubby, I’m willing to ask.

Since December 2024, I’ve lost my dogs Merle and Oscar, and my cat Kittie. Those losses have made me painfully aware of how quickly things can change. With Bubby, we have a treatment option his doctors believe could help, and I want to pursue it while keeping his comfort and well-being at the center of every decision.

He’s been with me for most of my adult life. I would love to give him more comfortable days of being the stubborn, deeply loved boy he’s always been.

If you can donate, any amount will help toward his treatment. Reaching the full goal would be incredible, but every contribution will make this next step more manageable.

Another way to help: Bubby’s wishlist

If you’d prefer to send supplies, I’ve also created an Amazon wishlist to help keep Bubby clean, comfortable, and cared for through this process. Helping with his everyday needs also allows me to put more toward his treatment.

Bubby's Amazon Wishlist

Whether you donate, send supplies, or share his story, we’re grateful for every bit of support.

If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing his fundraiser. To my family, friends, former veterinary coworkers, rescue and fostering connections, and everyone who has known and loved Bubby over the years, thank you for helping his story reach more people.

Thank you for reading, caring, and helping me give my boy this chance.

April & Beelzebubby