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Whether you’ve seen Sari smiling and laughing with customers at The Fuzzy Pig or walking through town, you know she is never without her loyal companion, Gus — her German Shorthair Pointer. Gus isn’t just her dog — he’s her shadow, her comic relief, her daily dose of unconditional love. With his charming personality and the way he leans in for affection like he’s trying to hug you, Gus has become just as much a part of the community as Sari. He’s the kind of dog who makes everyone’s day better.

A few months ago, Sari received the diagnosis no one is ever prepared for — Stage 3 lung cancer — and, shortly before Christmas, underwent surgery to remove her left lung. Like every cancer journey, it has been incredibly difficult — but in true Sari fashion, she is facing it with strength and determination. She is now in her second month of a very intensive — and very expensive — treatment that is her only option.

As if that weren’t enough, her beloved Gus has now been diagnosed with rare condition: an infiltrative lipoma. Unlike a typical lipoma, this type grows into the surrounding muscles and nerves, branching through the tissue and causing significant pain as it expands. Thanks to the incredible generosity of Albert's Dog Lounge Rescue, Gus was able to receive a CT scan to see if surgery was even possible.

The good news — it is.

Gus is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday, March 4 to remove five of these invasive masses. The difficult part is the cost: $7,500. While Sari has applied for veterinary grants, we know nothing is a guarantee.

We’re coming together to raise funds for Sari and Gus because we know how much that bond between a person and their dog means — especially during life’s hardest moments. They are each other’s comfort, strength, and reason to keep fighting.

Please consider donating:

In honor of a loved one who battled cancer

In memory of a pet you’ve lost or currently have

To celebrate the bond between humans and their dogs

Or to help give Sari hope that she and Gus WILL get through this together

Every donation, share, and kind word makes a difference.

- Venmo/PayPal: @JourneyHomeAC. If Venmo asks for a 4-digit pin, it is 1486.

- Check: 416 North Jefferson Street, Whitewater, WI