On June 21st of this year, my dear dog Leo was diagnosed with Primary Gastrointestinal Lymphoma. He and I had been traveling together for 6 months and were a few weeks into rehearsal in Telluride, Colorado when he was diagnosed. I decided to exit that production and return to Dallas, where Leo could be comfortable in his own home and get the oncological care he needed. Surgery wasn't an option, and palliative care would have offered him only a few more weeks of life.

As many of you know, Leo is more than just a pet. He is my family, my teacher, my co-director, my best friend, and my soul. He has taught me more than I ever could have imagined and has given me the best years of my life. He reflects my heart and sees me through the toughest of times. He doesn't like bad words and will wake up mid-nap to comfort me if a tear so much as rolls down my cheek. He watches after my nephews as they walk down the stairs. Rolling over in the morning and finding him laying beside me in bed is the best part of my day. We are truly linked. More than what Leo gives me, I can tell that he loves his life and he deserves as much love and high-quality time that I can possibly offer him in this world.

Leo just turned 11 in June, and a few weeks earlier, he had been bounding around in Prospect Park, happy to be visiting his old Brooklyn stomping grounds. The cancer soon started to progress quickly. On July 5th, he began the CHOP protocol (Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine and Prednisone), a tried and true chemotherapy regimen for Canine Lymphoma. His oncologist said that although he is young to be facing this diagnosis, his age grants him the strong heart needed to handle chemotherapy well. Despite the ups and downs, Leo has been getting stronger, eating more consistently, and showing signs that the chemotherapy is working. I have also become much better at giving him shots, administering oral medication, and reading his appetite. He has a chemo treatment every Friday for five months, totaling 16 treatments. After chemotherapy, there is a 70% remission rate, potentially adding another 6 to 14 months to his life.

The cost of the treatment is substantial, and while I'm doing everything possible to cover the expenses, the reality is that I need help. Lightening the financial burden would allow me to focus on what truly matters — taking care of Leo and providing him with all the love and support he needs during this difficult treatment process.

That's why I'm turning to the kindness and compassion of our community. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a significant difference. Your support will help ensure that Leo gets the best possible care and the chance to live a happy, healthy life. If you're unable to donate, sharing this campaign with your network would also be immensely appreciated.

Your contributions will go toward Leo’s chemotherapy treatments, as well as the antibiotics, appetite stimulants, and anti-nausea medication he needs to get through the first few days after each treatment.

I will keep you updated on Leo's progress and recovery. Thank you from the bottom of our human hearts and canine hearts for your kindness, generosity, and support during this challenging time.

Is Chemotherapy a Cruel Option for Leo?

Chemotherapy for humans is much different than chemotherapy for dogs. In humans, doctors seek to eradicate the cancer, whereas in dogs, remission is the goal. The word "chemo" often conjures images of pain and suffering, and while dogs are quite stoic, their bodies don't respond the same way that human bodies do. Unfortunately, many pets with cancer don't receive chemotherapy because of these unpleasant images and human experiences that don’t truly represent the current state of treatment response in pets. Chemotherapy is therapy using specific cancer-fighting medications (as opposed to surgery or radiation). Several decades of research have gone into patient comfort, minimizing side effects, and maximizing response. The median survival time for most dogs on chemotherapy is approximately one year, with 25 percent surviving two years — a significant portion of a dog's life.

Financial Reality

The cost of Leo's diagnosis, treatments, blood work, and ER visits without insurance would be upwards of $30,000. I have always had pet insurance for Leo, in preparation for this day, but suddenly spending $600 to $800 per week is taking its toll.

How Did Leo Get Cancer?

There is really no way of knowing how most dogs get cancer. As Leo’s vet put it, "he just got dealt a bad hand," which, frankly, just broke my heart. There are many types of cancer and many possible causes, including chemicals or contamination in the environment, sun exposure, genetic factors, and assorted viruses and infections.

How Does Lymphoma Cause Death?

Lymphoma is a rapidly growing malignancy that can present in any part of the body that has lymph tissue. There is lymph tissue in every part of the body that contains blood vessels. Eventually, the cancer infiltrates an organ to such an extent that the organ fails.

Where Will Leo's Cancer Be Treated?

VCA Animal Diagnostic Clinic. Dallas, TX

Who’s a Good Boy?

Leo’s a good boy. ❤️