We decided to go with chemo for Emmitt. So far he has had 2 treatments which are still expensive as well. They cost $850 each treatment. He will need up to 6 treatments. Financially we have expended everything to get those 2 treatments in. Anything will help continue his treatments and journey to beat this disease!

Newest update: January 19, 2026: We had an oncologist consultation for Emmitt today. Basically what it boils down to is that if Emmitt receives treatment it will extend his life, help reduce the blockage of his nasal passages, help him breathe better overall and enhance his quality of life. It will also help reduce the risk of nose bleeds and decrease his nasal discharge. It would entail a CT scan which is estimated at $3200 so they can develop a plan for the target area and then the actual radiation which depends on which type we choose. The first one is SRT radiation which is more precise radiation and only 3 sessions. The estimate for that is $9700. Which combines to a total estimated cost of $12900 with the CT scan. The other type of radiation is palliative which is over the course of 4 weeks with an estimated cost of $5000 bringing the combined total with the CT scan around $8700. His best outcome is the SRT radiation according to the doctor.

No treatment would mean just making him comfortable with what time he has left. He’s a fighter, he runs, he plays, he is resilient! He’s fighting and I want to keep fighting for him!!!

Update: January 12, 2026: We scheduled an appointment for today to do x-rays of Emmitt’s chest and head to make sure the cancer has not spread to either area. The results are that he is free and clear of cancer in both areas and the doctor said she did not see any real bone deterioration in his nose from the cancer!!!!! FINALLY, some good news which it may be small, any good news we will take and prayers are being answered!!!! He is set up for a consult with the oncologist this week to see where to go from here. As always we will keep everyone posted on our boy. #TEAMEMMITT!!!

Links are at the bottom of this post if you would like to help donate to his treatment and recovery. Thank you all so incredibly much!

Latest update on January 7, 2026 with final results.

Emmitt has a bone cancer called, Nasal Osteosarcoma. (osteo=bone, sarcoma=cancer). Sarcomas are tumors occurring in connective tissues within the nasal and surrounding (paranasal) sinuses.

Unfortunately, there's NO CURE. Let's dig down deeper into the cancer itself.......Two of the most common causes that can be linked to osteosarcoma in dogs are rapid growth and blunt bone injury. Let me explain...The most common symptoms of osteosarcoma in dogs include swelling, visible lameness, bone and joint pain, even some bone fractures caused by the weakening of bones due to the osteosarcoma growth. If the front part of the hard palate (top of mouth) is affected, radiation and treatment is more challenging.

It's the most commonly reported bone tumor in dogs that make up the nose, typically affecting the axial and appendicular skeleton. (The bones). It's a very aggressive cancer that can rapidly spread throughout the body resulting in death through the blood stream. Osteosarcomas are highly metastatic tumors (high likelihood of spread) predominantly to the lungs, if not treated. The only answer we haven't gotten yet, is how long he's had this cancer, he just started showing signs in October 2025. (Emmitt's Symptoms) sneezing, reverse sneezing, bloody noses, nasal discharge with blood, changes in breathing etc...Emmitt has not had any major nose bleeds, or any at that in a little over a week. He is still very active inside and outside. Plays with his 4 sisters (my girls), plays with the cat, chases squirrels and runs around with so much energy. He is still eating a lot throughout the day, as well as drinking water. He gets all of his nutrients etc... blueberries are supposed to shrink cancer etc, so we've been giving him & the girls organic, natural foods, fish oil is supposed to help also. This is the second tumor that has came out. Is his body naturally fighting it, are there more (how many)? We don't know. Emmitt needs his testing done for more answers...

Nasal cancers have many causes, including both genetic and environmental factors. Any dog can develop a nasal tumor, but they tend to occur more often in larger breeds, with long snouts (Rotties, Shephard's, Dobermans, etc).

There're different options for Emmitt. As we have been researching and reading and reading and learning the medical terms from the Vet Tech, pathologist and now the oncologist. This is a lot for some of you to follow along and I understand not everyone wants to sit and read paragraphs, but this matters to us. As, we don't want to miss out on more time with Emmitt, we also don't want to be selfish and make him suffer through the discomfort and the pain he might be experiencing. (He isn't showing signs of pain such as crying. He's not showing a sign of weakness, loss of appetite, confusion, seizures, etc. He still has strength. Will the power of God heal him? Keep praying.

Let's go over treatment. Emmit has a few options at hand. First, we're looking into an x-ray of his lungs for our immediate next step. An option with the longest median survival of 12-18 months is stereotactic radiation. Which is what we want to do (some have lived 3-5 years after radiation). A CT scan is needed to plan treatment, (radiation) once a day for 3 days with a cost of $13,000.00 The next option, with medial survival time of 6-9 months is palliative radiation, a CT scan is needed and treatment consists of radiation once a week for three weeks, cost of $8,000.00.

Chemotherapy options are limited. Injections of carboplatin at a cost of $1,200.00 per injection but may have a 30% chance of being helpful.

If we don't do his treatment his survival is 3-6 months with excessive bleeding episodes, shortening the survival time due to the effect on quality of life. Emmitt needs his testing done to remove his cancer and begin radiation ASAP. We don't want the cancer to spread to his lungs, which is most common, potentially to other bones and other lymph nodes.

We have so much faith in this. However, time is running out, but we can extend the quality of life, which could also be a year, three years, sometimes longer, after treatment.

We need your help, support, love and prayers. Chele can no longer take anymore time off work, obviously. I will be staying home with all the babies, giving him the best care, love and joy that he can get. I put my entire life on hold for our boy, he has to be in 24/7 care. My other girls understand he's ill, through the different scent from cancer. They're becoming more protective, closer together and sad. The bond that these babies all 5 of them have with one another, is amazing. It breaks my heart to know that once Emmitt is gone, I will be the one guiding my babies through grieving, loss and the emptiness of their home and little hearts.

However, Emmitt is fighting so hard and he's resilient. I'm begging you from the bottom of your heart, to continue the prayers and support.....We need the continued help that you guys have been providing. We appreciate this so very much from everyone who has donated so far!! $1 minimum would help us get the imaging and treatment done to extend the life of our boy, remove the cancer and start radiation. Thank you for everything that you all have done, even simply sharing his story.

Emmit did choke up a tumor this week, but we don't know the location it came from......LINKS TO DONATE ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PINNED POST ON MY FACEBOOK.

Original Pinned Post-

For New Year's this year will be different for us. Our main focus is on the life of Emmitt and keeping our family so close together, praying we can get the surgery done ASAP before his health declines more.

(Read the story to see how we found out).

Please, if you can take the time out of your day to read, pray, help, or share his story.

Not sure where this is going to go, but it's weighing heavy on us and it's worth every word and expression I type. I'm writing this with a heavy heart, trying to be strong for our entire family. Animals can become your whole world, but when you see your whole world falling apart by the look in their eyes crying for help, he knows he's sick and he is worried. It's time to reach out for some help and also get prayers for our boy. We're exhausted, so exhausted, heartbroken, with sleepless nights. Some nights a week, I have to sleep in a separate room, so that I can get sleep, we only get a few hours of sleep a night, or broken up sleep if he has episodes during the night. It's worth every minute of a loss sleep. However, we want him to be free and clear of what's ailing him. We just want relief for him and of course our family.

This is Emmitt. He just turned 5 years old recently and he's a Shepherd Malamute. He's my girlfriends fur baby. I've taken him in as my own also. He is the most sweetest boy, he loves everyone, loves to play daily inside and outside in our fenced in yard with his sisters, (my 4 Rat Terriers). He loves snacks, playtime, toys, adventures, rides, cuddles and loves his friends and family the most.

Here's his story, Emmitt woke up towards the end of September 2025 and started having major sneezing fits, with reverse sneezing, mucus, loss of blood and loss of breathing through both of his nostrils, which had us quite concerned. It then became an everyday occurrence, into weeks and now we are here months later at the end of December 2025.

The first few days we thought that he may have had a cold, so we took him to the doctor at his primary vet. The results came back that Emmitt had a serious sinus infection. The doctor then prescribed him meds to try to get rid of the infection. Emmitt then started sneezing more frequently and bloody snots would come out with the infection, as the meds were working doing it's job, but leaving us still questionable and uncertain. We noticed blood started randomly occurring not out of just one nostril, but both almost on a daily. When a dog paws at something, it's because they're trying to tell us something, that's their way of communication. He started pawing at his nose first on one side, then on the other. (He still does). It hurts my heart.

However, we brought him back to the primary vet/doctor and we mentioned the bloody snots coming out of his nose. He then was given an X-Ray test of his head/snout area. X-Rays were done and it came back that Emmitt had an area of inflammation. We then were prescribed more substantial antibiotics for it. The X-Ray's only show so much, when it comes to a regular vet/clinic. We then got a referral for a specialist, hoping for more answers with more advanced testing, or a solution.

Before we took Emmitt to the Internal Medicine Specialist, we wanted another opinion from a more experienced vet (Vet #2). We felt we needed to gather the most information we could, due to it being weeks back and forth between 2 places already with barely any answers. So, Chele and I took Emmitt to (vet #2) on November 14, 2025 and the doctor had us in the room examining Emmitt and thoroughly explained, in detail, more information about the actual possibilities and process of elimination, by providing his previous records and tests. Emmitt was prescribed different antibiotics and then the doctor referred us to the Internal Medicine Specialist immediately, also for more accurate results.

Chele & I took Emmitt to an Internal Medicine Specialist on November 19, 2025, out of County. (The referral). We gave the Doctor all of the previous paperwork and results from his regular vet appointments. We went over a game plan, pricing and process of elimination. They did an aspergillus lab test, a common fungus among dogs, (to see if it's fungal) along with more blood work and regular check up. The test came back negative. (Which is good, so that it don't spread). The doctor wants to do a CT Scan, rhinoscopy and biopsy to send out, for some answers. Just for that is $6400.00 (that's not including the removal of the issues that's blocking Emmitt's regular breathing, surgery, aftercare, or checkups and possibly more. Long story short, So, we took the information from the Specialist and returned back to (vet #2).

(Vet #2) recommended a complete blood count (CBC) which we did. His results from the CBC were that his white blood cells were high (which is common with chronic inflammation and can be a result of an infection). (Which he has).

December 18th 2025 Chele dropped a sample of discharge to (vet#2) and the doctor did some culture microscopic slides and had them sent to the Pathologist. The results came back from the doctor and the Pathologist; which was his white blood cells called neutrophils, which is consistent with infections. Their was something unidentifiable on the slide, but the Pathologist determined that it's inconclusive (no result). (Continuing meds)

So Unfortunately, we had to go back to (vet#2), for now, until we can get the $6400.00 testing done for the Internal Medicine doctor. We wanted to gather as much information as we could, to get down to the science of this. Right now we're doing what's most cost efficient for us, every step of the way. As, our plan is to use the Internal Medicine doctor to get his testing done that he urgently needs and surgery. He still needs to do the Rhinoscopy, Cat Scan and biopsy, that is needed significantly.

Emmitt hasn't been able to breathe through either side of his nose. He uses his mouth to breathe and leaves it open, or he puffs his lips and leaves a hole on each side to breathe through. (see photos). He struggles, he's tired, he has heavy, nose bleeds (that will sometimes last for a significant amount of time), snores extremely loud, his nose drains the infection that he has, leaving blood residue, or a pile of snots and/or blood. Emmitt gets so aggravated while losing a lot of blood and sleep himself, which can effect the health of a dog. He wakes himself up from snoring, he face plants because he is so tired in general as well as the side effects from the medications.

After being back and forth with weekly vet/doctors visits. Medication adjustments/switches, lab tests, blood work, X-Rays, multiple culture slides (microscopic) from his mucus, daily emails, with the doctor for updates, next steps, concerns, changes, pictures, videos, results and unforeseen occurrences. Between the dropping off samples of his discharge and filling and refilling his medications is persistent.

Fast Forwarding to December 26th 2025 Emmitt had an appointment at (vet#2) for a checkup to address our concerns with his bleeding, inflammation on the bridge of his nose and issues with his ear infected and bleeding because he was pawing and scratching at it. The doctor gave him meds for his ear (which has improved now). The doctor attempted to do a nasal flush while being awake, (got a little bit). The doctor then took a look in his nose with an otoscope and the doctor and Chele saw something white and bloody. The doctor performed a scrape of the area inside his nose for a microscopic slide culture, which then produced an image that had us question if it could be something fungal other than Aspergillus. The doctor wanted to consult an Internal Medicine doctor and also prescribed and anti-fungal medication. So, we set up a follow up appointment for January 2, 2026. However....

On December 29, 2025 I was home with Emmitt and he started sneezing severely. Blood was pouring out of his nose uncontrollably, I couldn't stop it, I was scared, I thought this was it, with the amount of blood that was pouring out and the amount that was in his mouth. I was covered in blood, He was covered in blood, from his head, to his chest, to his legs and paws. I called Chele and told her she needed to leave work immediately. She arrived at home and went to give him medication to stop the bleeding, when she noticed something wedged in the tip of his nose and immediately called (vet#2). They told us to be there in 1 hour. (Mind you this vet is by appointment only) Upon arrival, as soon as we arrived and started walking down the sidewalk, Emmitt had another episode of uncontrollable sneezing with lots of blood pouring out. Emmitt, then sneezed about 15 times, or so within a couple minutes, he then sneezed and what was stuck in his nose, flew out from how hard he was sneezing. The vet tech and doctor came rushing outside immediately to help get the bleeding under control. It was immediately determined that the object that flew out of his nose was a tumor. The doctor sent the tumor for a biopsy to determine if it is cancerous, or not. We were there for about 3 hours to get the bleeding under control. The doctor prescribed antibiotics to reduce chances of infection where the tumor was. She also prescribed medication for him to stop the bleeding if it became uncontrollable again. We're waiting on the test results for the biopsy. Could take up to 2 weeks. Please pray.

We're at a loss and we both have missed work on multiple occasions due to his condition. (Emmitt needs to be watched). Especially, if he looses blood, or has discharge from his nose. (Which has been almost daily). We have to sanitize and clean up with peroxide and vinegar. (Safest products). Every single time, numerous times. We have 5 other animals in the house and I don't want them near his discharge etc. So, we stay on top of everything, cleaning their bowls and refreshing the water multiple times throughout the day. We're constantly changing the beddings and blankets all over the house on a daily as well as keeping everything sanitized. The amount of times a day I get my chest tight, my nerves going and an uneasy feeling that this is it for him. The tears, the scary breathing he does. He stares at us, my other 4 dogs stare at us and lay with him, many times sniffing him and protecting him. I try to keep them separate because he is sick. Our minds keep going, we need to get this test done, so we can have all of the tumors removed. We're devastated and trying to do the best we can everyday with what we are working with. At the end of the day, we want to get him some relief, his life is worth living. He is so full of life and so playful you wouldn't think anything is wrong with him. There are some days he is unable to be his playful self because we have to be guarded due to his breathing issues and it inducing his nose bleeds. He deserves to live the life he was previously living without all of this. It's taking a toll on us and him. On top of everything, we're constantly showing love, compassion and attention to all our babies, so that they feel complete as well.

With the time we have now until his returned biopsy result every dollar that's donated will count towards his care and aftercare. If you are unable to donate to his cause, we understand that times are tough, your prayers will go a long way. We could use prayers everyday! Unfortunately, we have no insurance for him because we always kept up with regular vet visits and did not predict this coming. We have all the paperwork, emails, receipts, pictures and videos if you have any questions. I've never done this before, but I refuse to sit and let this baby suffer any longer as this is one of the few options we have right now.

We know that the tumors are blocking his passages to his current breathing. He still has nose bleeds, reverse sneezing, sneezing, runny nose, mucus daily. If we can get this baby his tests, we can get all of these tumors surgically removed. I'm reaching out from my family to yours asking for any help out there.

Show some love for him, send prayers, but this would really help Emmitt and our family out. Just as simple as a prayer.

This is so much for a family to wrap over our heads, as this was a random occurrence, not sure what type of tumor, don't know how many tumors, or where they are located, or if it's cancerous, or not. We're trying to do everything we can, but with the bills, necessities, Christmas and the multiple vet visits all funds and resources are being drained.

[January 2, 2026 update]

Went back to (vet #2) for a checkup for Emmitt. They took his vitals, a snot sample for a microscopic slide. (Test)… and did a normal check up. Still waiting for the pathologist to see if the biopsy is cancerous and also what type of tumors he developed. Filled all 3 of his current scripts. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and an anti fungal. They’re working for him, draining the infection from 1 nostril. Still don’t breathe through his nose. Doctor checked his throat/mouth area and it's swelling, and his breathing is becoming more difficult. My heart Next words to us were, this is all I can do for you guys. Until, the biopsy comes back next week and the urgent imaging is done. They need to see the area on the imaging to come to the conclusion and start surgery and aftercare. If we don’t get this done, she said we’re going to have to make quality of life decisions, because this type of illness for a Shephard, would be detrimental for him without the proper care and sent us home. She said that if we can get the funds for Emmitts testing, that he has a better prognosis (meaning outcome) in recovering from his illness.

Latest update January 3, 2026

Woke up to devastating news. Emmitt has cancer. 1 out of 3 types. The pathologist is doing further research and testing. Results this week sometime. Thank you to everyone who’s been beside us. Helped, shared and prayed.

Update on Emmitt today (January 6, 2026) Last night and this morning was a rough night for Emmitt. This morning Emmitt had his reverse sneeze fit…. Then all of a sudden he choked up a tumor and it landed on the ground outside. It was sized at a little over 2 inches long. We contacted (vet#2) with the details etc. We’re still waiting on the results to see what type of cancer this is and if it’s going to be curable. We’ve been feeding him organic/natural foods that are supposed to shrink/weaken tumors (cancer). His body is fighting this off, this is the second tumor that’s came out! He’s more relieved and his breathing is better since that came out! Over 2 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. We just have to be cautious because this could be aggressive cancer. This is progress, however, he’s on antibiotics and inflammation. He’s been resting and comfortable for the most part. The girls love him so much. They also get the organic/natural foods etc…. He’s been playing outside in small increments, as we also want him to rest, but keeping him in his routine helps animals during cancer stages. He’s just so playful and happy, you seriously wouldn’t know he had cancer aside from the episodes he has. Praying the results come back soon, it’s supposed to be this week. So, we can move on to the next stage of his life, recovery. The heavy energy and prayers, we feel that energy! Please keep, praying, sharing, posting, even if you can help, we most certainly appreciate everyone! Thank you so much to everyone who’s been tagging along his journey ….. let’s pray that it’s curable and we can immediately begin surgery and treatment!! I’m exhausted, but we’re still going hard!!! Let’s gooooooo!!!!

I think I covered most bases, I just kept the Doctors names and places out, for safety purposes. Please pray for my family, thank you to those who has been there for us since October of this year.

Our family thanks you all for your prayers and support through everything we are going through right now with Emmitt.

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