“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than himself.”  Writing this breaks my heart because I’m realizing that I’m unable to financially get the care for  my fur baby and best friend, Knuckles, on my own. Knuckles has always been healthy until recently. The signs were there, my motherly intuition knew there was something wrong. It initially started with vet visits for vomiting that lead to dehydration. Then stomach issues and I was told by the Sumner vet he ate something from my yard. Each visit and misdiagnosis took an emotional and financial toll. After each visit, I couldn’t understand how my healthy boy suddenly took a health turn for the worse. I had to have him seen by someone who knew him, who cared about his wellbeing. I made an appointment with his regular vet @  Burien’s Veterinarian Hospital for June 5th. While waiting for his appointment I began cooking his food and watching every move and breath he took, and then I saw a lump. I knew it wasn’t good but tried to convince myself it was just a silly bug bite. A bug bite it was not. On June 5th Dr. Kamdar took an aspiration of the mass. On June 6th my world fell apart with the news that my fur baby has Mast Cell Tumors. He was scheduled with Dr. Lee for removal of the mass to provide us with a full pathology report to determine our fate. Today, June 7 as the day has gone by more bumps continue to appear. He will see Dr. Lee this coming Tuesday,  then possible surgery Wed and then based on the stage move to an oncologist   It was shared that they may remove a tumor or tumors and then months later they will return. Being told not to get frustrated.  To receive this news is truly devastating and debilitating to my soul. As you can imagine Knuckles treatment is going to be very costly.  To add to my circumstances, I was injured at work and am currently on L&I and not currently in a financial position to sustain his treatment. I plan to do everything in my power to give him the best possible chance, even if that means swallowing my pride by asking for help. Not just help for me but help for Knuckles. Any amount helps and will go 100% toward his vet bills. Any monies left over will be applied towards another family that is also dealing with MCT treatment for their pet once Knuckles gets a free and clear report which may be a few years.   I am a part of a few support groups, and I am taken aback at how common this is in pets. I hope to not just seek donations for Knuckles treatment but spread awareness about MCT (Mass Cell Tumors). It is critical to catch it early, pay attention to the signs and get treatment. MCT can start as early as a year old. I have provided information about MCT below. No donation is too small, and any amount is greatly appreciated. I want to be completely transparent and share our journey with everyone. All photos and vet bills will be posted to his GoFundMe. Below I have provided Knuckles the French Bulldog IG account for stories and progress notes. Knuckles is only 3 years old. He has so many years of life to live. This journey is going to be a difficult one but with friends, prayers, and my soul dog by my side, we get through anything. We are ready to fight, and we need your support!  About MCT: For those who are unaware of what a Mass Cell Tumor is, I put together some information for anyone who is curious, and for anyone who wants to know what to look for in their furry family members. A mast cell is a type of white blood cell that is found in many tissues of the body. Mast cells are allergy cells and play a role in the allergic response. When exposed to allergens (substances that stimulate allergies), mast cells release chemicals and compounds, a process called degranulation. One of these compounds is histamine. Histamine is most commonly known for causing itchiness, sneezing, and runny eyes and nose – the common symptoms of allergies. They can be a raised lump or bump on or just under the skin and may be red, ulcerated, or swollen. While some may be present for many months without growing much, others can appear suddenly and grow very quickly. Sometimes they can suddenly grow quickly after months of no change. They may appear to fluctuate in size, getting larger or smaller even on a daily basis. Mast cell tumors (MCTs) are the most common malignant skin cancer in dogs, with the potential to spread to lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and other areas and then it becomes a systemic cancer. Any breed may be affected by MCTs, but certain breeds are predisposed, including Bulldogs, golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, Boston terriers, boxers, and pugs. MCTs can affect dogs of any age but typically affect middle-aged to older dogs. Thank you to my dear friend Alicia for writing this..