Ponderosa’s Body Mod Funds

Edit: current quotes for complete amputations range from $5k-$7k, in addition to the initial consultation. But we’re booked for a consultation on friday!

About a week ago, our sweet boy Ponderosa started limping. I didn’t think too much about it at first, but in the following days his limp got worse, activity all but ceased, and he started hiding around the house. I took him in for x rays, fearing the cost of a broken bone, and was told he’s being eaten alive by cancer.

He has osteosarcoma in his left hind leg, but so far, it seems like we caught it before it metastasized! So the course of action is amputation asap as possible, which is quite costly and after 2 cross country moves with 2 kids, that’s not something we can swing on our own.

His initial appointment was a $1000 bill, and amputation alone (according to the internet) is anywhere from $1700-$2400, though I haven't gotten an estimate from the hospital yet. So I’m asking if anyone who’s ever loved or been loved by this sweet guy to spare a few bucks to give him a chance. We will be contributing to his care as well, but anything to help relieve the financial burden would be the biggest blessing.

He’s the dog I scooped ice cream for an entire summer to purchase! I grew up wanting a golden retriever just like my mama, but I have horrible dog allergies so I laid those dreams to rest until I was ~16 and saw my first goldendoodle. I told myself that’s the exact dog I wanted, and I’d wait and save until my senior year at university which is exactly what I did! He was my emotional support animal during the first few years of pretty horrible anxiety, and later the “friend” I’d take out to a patio to share a tequila soda with. He helped me win over Anthony, and has been an introduction to countless new friends. When we adopted Chonk in the early pandemic, Ponderosa became his emotional support animal of sorts. He was a wary dog, but if Ponderosa trusted you, so could he! And Ponderosa trusted everyone, almost to a fault. In Brooklyn, Ponderosa became June’s self declared best friend, and shortly after moving to Portland, Arlo woke up and claimed him as well. Their favorite thing to do his climb on top of him while he’s lounging and give him a good snuggle.

If amputation alone is unsuccessful, we will not be pursuing chemotherapy which would be the next step, as I believe that would be more for me and less for him, and would only give him a short while longer to live a very confused and medically traumatic life. Instead, we will look into in home euthanasia so that he can cross that rainbow bridge wrapped in our arms i. the comfort of home.