Meet Smokie — our smart, loyal, adventure-loving senior dog. Smokie has been our beloved companion for the past 9 years. We adopted him unexpectedly on a family road trip when he was 3, and from that moment, he became an inseparable part of our lives. Loyal, gentle, and full of love, Smokie has grown up with us, watched over us, hiked beside us, and greeted every day with joy — especially when it meant a walk or an adventure with his (big) little sister Luna. Through every milestone and every quiet moment in between, Smokie has been our steady, loving presence — always at our side, always part of the story.

When we brought Luna home as a puppy, Smokie quickly stepped into his role as big brother. Their bond has been beautiful — Luna kept him young, and their adventures together brought out the playful, puppy-like energy in Smokie that never really went away.

Sadly, this year, we noticed changes. Smokie’s appetite decreased, he began wincing in pain when we picked him up, and his energy started to fade. We brought him to the vet for multiple visits — he had an ultrasound, x-rays, and he's now on pain medication to stay comfortable.

The diagnosis: a large mass — 8cm in diameter — on his spleen. It’s pressing against his stomach, making it painful to eat. Thankfully, the tumor has not spread to any other organs, and his heart and lungs are healthy. The doctor said that surgery to remove his spleen is possible and could save his life. However, Smokie will need a blood transfusion which makes the procedure more complex and more expensive — but still very hopeful. The vet says Smokie is strong enough to pull through.

Time is critical. The tumor is leaking and could rupture at any moment. It’s already caused him to become anemic and fatigued. Despite it all, Smokie’s will to live is undeniable. He drinks plenty of water, still tries to eat, and continues to looks at us with bright, trusting eyes - perking up when we say his name or pick up the leash.

We’re doing everything we can to give him a chance — but we can’t do it alone. We’ve spent over $2,500 so far on diagnostics, consults and medications, and now we’re asking for help to cover the vet’s estimated cost of $8k for his life-saving surgery.

If you feel moved to help, any amount — no matter how small — would go directly toward Smokie’s medical bills & post-op care. We just want to see our boy happy and pain-free again.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for reading, sharing, or donating. It truly means everything to our family — and to Smokie.