Kona is my emotional support dog whom I rescued and adopted when she was only 12 weeks old. She has been my best friend and most loyal companion for the last eight years.

This past summer, while I was away from home in treatment for alcohol addiction, she developed a tumor in her mouth. Upon further vet visits and testing, I got the devastating news that she developed oral melanoma, which is one of the most aggressive types of cancer for canines. Further tests concluded the cancer had quickly already spread to her internal organs and unfortunately, there is no cure. However, the tumor in her mouth was growing and proving to be excruciatingly painful for poor Kona. She was bleeding and having trouble eating and drinking.

After consulting with specialists, I made the decision to have two extremely costly surgeries to have a part of Kona’s cheek, the tumor, and her lymph nodes removed—not to cure the cancer, but to improve Kona’s quality of life during her final months as the angel on earth she’s proved to be for not only myself but for all the women in the sober house I manage. Costs got up to about $7,500—which no manager of a sober house has just lying around.

I am asking for your generosity to help offset the costs incurred that were necessary to remove the pain Kona was in so she could continue to play, run, cuddle, and overall be the light and emotional support she has proven to be as an emotional support animal in our women’s sober house. Every little bit helps. During this holiday season, please find it in your heart to generously donate to help with the costs for Kona’s care.