This is Pirate, my best friend and the best dog I have ever known. He's almost 11 years old and I have had him since 2017.

Unfortunately, two weeks ago, Pirate was diagnosed with an aggressive melanoma on his facial mass (the black mole on his face) and a swollen lymph node below his jaw also tested as a metastatic melanoma. We took him to an oncologist last week and they discovered a third swollen lymph node that also tested as melanoma and took CTs that revealed nodules in his lungs. To attempt to control this, the vets have suggested surgery to remove the masses that we know of, a melanoma vaccine and chemo therapy to attempt to eliminate the other nodules and microscopic areas that exist.

All of this sounds awful. I haven't been able to talk about it to a lot of people. It breaks my heart because Pirate has been a true angel for me. He is still eating and drinking and acting just like the little buddy I've always had. If not for the swollen lymph nodes, I wouldn't have known anything was wrong.

I know asking for money is a hard thing to do. Especially coming off of the pandemic. And it's hard for me to do this, but this is my best friend and I want to do everything possible to keep him well, happy and thriving. He's changed my life. Help me if you can.