I am a disabled Marine Corps Veteran. Maxx is my service dog and has been for the last 9 years. Maxx has been going to the Madison, VA for all those years to groups and therapy, so he has not only been my service dog but has interacted with and helped over a thousand veterans during those 9 years. He will go around the room and, doing what dogs do best, use his senses to read the veterans who are most struggling with their issues and sit down and spend time with them. Sometimes that's all a veteran needs, another being to sit with them in silence.

Now, after 9 years of helping human beings, he needs human beings' help. Two weeks ago, he all but basically stopped eating. On the 4th night, he woke me up with labored breathing. That lasted about an hour. The next day, I got him to a vet and found out he has a 12-centimeter mass growing from his spleen. Due to being attached to a major blood supply organ, they cannot stick it with a needle for testing as that can cause heavy internal bleeding that could cause a quick death. They have to remove the spleen and mass with surgery, then it can be tested. These are the odds: 40% benign, 60% malignant. So in reality, he only has a 40% chance from an operation that will cost between $6,000 to $10,000. I am not a gambling man, but for all he has done for me, I am going to play that hand at any cost. On Tuesday, December 9th, he has his presurgery appointment, and I will be told then what day he has surgery.

I hope there are some veterans who he has helped out over the years see this and will want to help him out in his time of need. Thank you so much to anyone helping out. Love and Happy Holidays from Mark and Maxx!