Pepper is a 6 year old Chihuahua mix rescued from sexual abuse and neglect. She is one of three spoiled doggies, and loves her sisters dearly - though she would trade either one of them to snuggle all day! She has a fiery personality and is a certified toy thief.

I reached out to foster Pepper in 2022 after stumbling upon a Facebook post about a dog in Polk county who was being abused. The previous owner was arrested and she was taken in by the rescuer. She was timid for exactly one night before breaking out of her kennel and storming the house! (She still struggles with sharing space with men and having a camera in her face, however.) She brought so much life into our home, and so naturally.. within a few months, I couldn't give her up. She is the spunkiest, spiciest little thing, so we threw a party and officially named her Pepper.

Fast forward to August 22 of this year. I was snuggling up with my girl when I found that she was growing two tumors on her tummy. These grew EXTREMELY fast, as they were not present 2 weeks prior. I was able to get her in for surgery on September 9th, after prior complications with anemia and enlarged spleen. One of the tumors removed was discovered to be a grade 3 mammary carcinoma. Per the report, if treated by surgery alone, survival rate from this type of cancer is rough. Only 27% of dogs make it 1 year. 0% make it to 2 years.

This is where gofundme comes in. I have just taken Pepper to her first appointment at the oncologist and received the estimates for chemotherapy. If treated with chemo, Pepper should become 100% cancer free, as no additional growths have been identified at this time. My initial appointment today was approx. ~$1k. Her follow up spleen ultrasound will be anywhere from $600-1100. Each chemo treatment (suggested is five) will cost $776. The total of all of this comes out to roughly $6,200, not including the several thousand I have already poured into testing and surgery. I am picking up extra shifts at work and looking into grants but these alone will not make ends meet.. I really need help.

I am creating this campaign to continue giving Pepper the life she deserves. She has been through so much in her six years, and I want to give her at least six more. I love this dog so much and will continue to give her everything I have. Please donate if you can, and share if you can't. Thank you so much.