Picasso's Cancer Treatment Fund

As many of you know, my little Picasso has just been diagnosed with Lymphoma. I have been faced with an impossible decision, a decision with a quickly approaching expiration date, a decision no one should have to make for their best friend.

I have spent the last week, crying, grieving the potential loss of this very special little guy who has been a huge part of my life for just over a decade. I thought for certain he would have at least a few more years, so when a small bout of vomiting and diarrhea, on my birthday of all days, revealed something much more sinister under the surface, lymphoma. It shattered my already tattered heart to pieces.

Last Saturday, I discussed options with the Oncologist, and it turns out that with his current outstanding health, cancer aside, he is an excellent candidate for Chemo. However, a decision to begin chemo comes with a narrowly closing window, he would need to start treatment within the next week to ensure the best chance for success.

But wait, chemo is a scary word, it brings with it horrible images of pain and discomfort from what we know of our dear human loved ones who fall into this most unfortunate of fates. But for dogs, modern chemo is quite the opposite, because for dogs, chemo is geared around quality of life as the highest priority. Something that the relatively short lives of our canine companions make a possibility.

I admit, at first, the thought of chemo on this awesome little dog was horrifying, I lost my father to pancreatitis at a very young age and witnessing the sudden, and fast, decline and then untimely demise. I couldn't imagine putting Picasso through any sort of suffering for my own benefit and I won't. I promised Picasso that I will not let him suffer. I quickly learned that suffering isn't a part of Chemo for dogs, it is very different than for humans. Lymphoma happens to be the most treatable of cancers in dogs with the highest success rate for remission at 80%. I was still a bit on the fence, so the vet and I agreed on trying a very small dose of chemo to see how he would respond, or if he would respond before deciding on a longer term plan.

Much to my amazement, a mere 3 days later, with nearly non-existant negative symptoms from chemo, his lymph nodes have shrunk down to normal size, his energy level is back, and he is prancing, jumping, playing and running around like a young pup again!

When witnessing this incredible response, how could I not give him the best treatment possible to grant him the most success towards a longer term remission? To give him those few more years that cancer wants to rob him of.

I look into his big golden brown eyes, more human-like than dog, and I just know deep in my heart that it is not his time yet. I have to give him a chance to fight this, I need to give him that chance.

So, I am here doing something I have never done before. Asking for help.

Help to make this a reality. Chemo is not cheap, the most successful protocol for longer term remission is estimated to cost $10-11,000. I have already spent $4,000 on diagnostics alone, and I am just not in a place to be able provide Picasso the best option for a pain-free chance at a few more years, a few more years well deserved by this incredibly loving, intelligent, loyal and brave service dog.

Picasso has been my loyal ESA for many years, he has traveled internationally with me, and has been there for me through thick and thin. After all he has done for me, how could I not put my pride aside, and ask for help to give him a chance to enjoy his well-earned golden years. He deserves it more than ever. I am crying as I write this, and I would be forever grateful for your help, even just a small amount goes a long way, I know times are hard for so many right now.

Picasso truly is a once in a lifetime dog, please don't let cancer rob him of his best years, please help me give him a fighting chance. I can't do this on my own, and I need your help to help him. Because without treatment, lymphoma is a very fast acting and painful cancer and he would only have a few months at best.