My name is Shaylee. I’m the mom to Artie, the most incredible 5 and a half-year-old Blue Heeler/American Bulldog/Shih Tzu mix you will ever meet!

Almost 2 years ago, he had a small lump removed from his tail that was about the size of a gumball. At the time, they didn’t think it was necessary to test the lump. I now greatly regret that decision as it has grown back, and he now has a very aggressive malignant tumor, the size of a baseball in the same spot. The veterinarians have recommended we go to Caves in NH, to have board-certified vets amputate his tail and check to see if the tumor has spread. Originally, the surgery was going to be in the $2,000-$3,000 price range, but it’s increased to $4,000-$5,000 now. I’m completely at a loss for what to do. If you know me, you know my job is closing their store on Wednesday, January 28th, and I will be unemployed. (Currently desperately looking for a new job.)

With that said, all of the money I have saved up for when my job closes will now be going toward paying for Artie’s surgery, but I’m still incredibly short of the final cost. Normally, I wouldn’t ask the community for help, but I really feel backed into a corner. I’m hoping that if people are able to donate, maybe they would be interested in receiving pet portraits of their animals as a thank you? (Regardless of how much you donate, I will paint you a portrait; anything helps!) I greatly appreciate anything that the community is able to do for my baby!