Before I introduce myself, I want to thank you for navigating here. It means a lot to me that you would even consider donating so that my/our beloved pup Abbey can have more time with her family, friends and loved ones.

Hello there....if you don't know me, my name is Melissa and I've started this GoFundMe in hopes of raising money to contribute to my dog Abbeys veterinary/oncology bills, which are already piling up.

Abbey was diagnosed with Lymphoma on October 14th, and it's been absolutely devastating to go from thinking I had years left with her to knowing if I did nothing, I might have a couple of good months left. My world has been completely flipped upside down. Aside from some arthritis, which is age appropriate, she seems totally normal. The day she was diagnosed, she was playing tug-o-war with my daughter Violet and chasing her around the kitchen, begging for food. I sat and watched in a daze, in utter shock and disbelief that this was real life. Then I cried. I cried and cried and cried.......and then I cried some more.

It's taken me a few days too long to start this GoFundMe because the thought of intentionally sitting with my grief, trying to explain why I'm asking for your money, honestly just felt like more than I could handle. But, I.....we really need your help.

Right before diagnosis, my vet said to me, "not to be insensitive, but if your dog is going to get cancer, this is the one you want them to get. It is highly responsive to chemo and she could have another year or two of quality life left in her." So, because I truly believe Abbey fits into this category, last week I started researching Lymphoma and decided I wasn't going to take the diagnosis lying down. I had a lot of questions and I wanted answers. I wasn't going to blindly accept that my seemingly healthy dog was going to die in 2 months time.

I made appointments for her to see an Oncologist and a local holistic vet for acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

Yesterday, we had bloodwork done and had another round of fine needle aspirations done to see if she has T-cell or B-cell Lymphoma. Next week, we'll see the oncologist and talk options, which I already know will be $9,000-$10,000. This also doesn't include all the other outside treatments, supplements, food, etc.

The bills are starting to pile. I am fully prepared to spend a good chunk of my savings on Abbey, but I'm also hoping some kind, compassionate and empathetic pet loving people, will help offset the cost a little bit so that I don't go broke in the process of giving Abbey a fighting chance.

My heart is broken. And my heart breaks even more for my daughter who doesn't really understand what's happening to her dog.

Please help us with whatever you can. No amount is too small.

We love and thank you,

Melissa, Violet and Abbey (and Max, and Ellie too)