Hi everyone. I'm not really sure where to begin here. I have had my dog, Dave Growl, for five years now. He was a covid dog, but i had been planning on getting a dog (and naming him Dave growl) for at least five years prior. I've grown up with family dogs in the past, but He was my first dog while on my own. He was a rescue from the wildfires of 2020, and by the time i got to meet him, he had changed hands from agency to foster home at least 3 times. Heck, he even growled at me the first time he met me. I'm not sure why, but i took that as a challenge to give him the best life i could. Ever since i first dragged him home, he has been my best friend. He's slept on my bed, always has a reserved spot next to me on the couch, and has bullied me for snacks constantly. He has gotten me through Covid lock down,PTSD episodes, bad break ups, retirement from the military, two cross country moves, and transitioning from military to civilian life. It has been, and continues to be, the best years of my life.

In late august, I was giving him a belly rub when i first spotted a lump on his chest. At that time, it was about the size and hardness of half a golf ball. I immediately scheduled a Vet visit and got a biopsy done. He was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor that was showing signs of malignancy. As of this writing, it has progressed to the size of a fist. He has had exam after exam done and it's been a rough emotional roller coaster.

So, Bad news first. My surgery consult hurt my soul a bit. If I do nothing, the doctor said that I would have about 6 months to a year left with him. The placement of the tumor underneath his armpit makes it difficult for both coverage of removal (including possible amputation of his arm) and the healing process after surgery. This doesn't even touch the possibility of chemo. Surgery Estimate for just tumor and possibly lymph node removal has an estimate of 3700 to upwards to 6000 dollars.

BUT there is some good news. He isn't losing weight rapidly. He's still very much acting like himself. All his diagnostics exams show it has been self contained. It hasn't spread to his liver, spleen, or other soft tissue organs. Chest X-rays show it hasn't spread to lungs or chest. He's still fairly young, probably 6 years old so he could still have good years left. I have pet insurance for him to try and recoup all the costs. Finally, I've been following the vet instructions and giving him meds to hopefully shrink the tumor and make for easier surgical removal.

So, all of this is to say, I need help. I have hated asking for help in the past. Especially when it comes to financial help. Call it stubbornness, or pride, or whatever. However, I have never loved anyone or anything as much in my life as I have loved this dog. He's been my absolute world. Every day that I wake up to see his face, it's another day that gives my life some sort of purpose. Every night that I go to bed, he gets underneath the covers and sleeps next to me. Coming home and taking him on walks is the highlight of each day. He has been my shoulder to cry on, my go-to walking buddy, my best friend and my top priority. I haven't given up hope that i could help him, and even if i don't get a single cent from this, I will feel like I've given my all to get him assistance. I have cried more in the past two weeks than I have ever in my life. If I still have to say goodbye to him, I will be devastated but i understand that is part of life. I'm sure as hell still going to try.

I'm placing the request at $10000 dollars with an initial goal of $3500 to cover the low/high end of surgery, possible amputation, and possible lost wages if I burn through all my PTO while caring for him during recovery. Any little bit helps, and I truly mean that. I am hesitant to ask fellow service members on active duty for help, seeing as the shutdown has them without pay. If you are active duty, in lieu of donation, I simply ask you share this. Y'all have enough to worry about.

All in All, I write this with total humility. I'm not sure I am ready to say goodbye to Dave, but I am damn sure I'm ready to move heaven and earth to at least try to help him. I humbly ask that you either donate or at least share this with friends and family. In any case, i thank you for taking time out of your day to read this. Please remember to tell your loved ones and pets that you love them. Give them a hug and tell your pets that Dave and I say "Hey". Give them a head scratch too.