Save Nala: A Brave Dog's Fight

Nala is an Akita, a rescue found chained to the outside the fence of a rescue home for dogs. She showed obvious signs of abuse and neglect, flinching at any sudden movements or sounds. We jumped at the chance to get her, and while hesitant and shy at first, she quickly began showing her true colors as the happy and amazing dog she was. After six years with her, she was the perfect family dog.

One day, we noticed she began to favor her back leg. Thinking it was just a simple sprain, we scheduled an appointment to have it X-rayed. We weren't ready for the news that the results showed she had cancer going through the bone of her leg, along with about a dozen buckshot pellets we believe she got from her last owners. If it wasn't for the evidence, we would've never known how much pain she was in due to her always being the happiest girl and eager to play. Not having the heart to put down a dog with so much life in her, we decided to go with the surgery to remove the cancer, which means removing her back leg. In the meantime, until the surgery, we've been giving her pain meds, but being a dog, she can't just take the pills that help ease the pain. But she can't resist them stuffed inside of a meatball.

While my family and I hate the idea of asking people to pitch in, Nala is part of our family, and we want to do whatever we can for her. Anything would help and go a long way in saving her.