Hello dear friends &, perhaps, dear strangers too --

Walter had emergency surgery on the evening of January 3rd to remove a kidney that had torn & leaked fluid into his abdominal cavity. On Monday, January 9th, his surgeon phoned to say a pathology report indicated that Walter has intermediate-grade papillary carcinoma & perhaps 6 to 12 months to live.

His prospects would have been better had the kidney not torn, as it is now assured that abnormal cells have scattered throughout his body. This particular cancer will attach to surfaces, creating tumor nodules that leak -- called malignant effusion -- & it is, as you can imagine, painful to endure. Chemotherapy will help keep Walter comfortable until the time comes to let him go, but right now he is very much himself & recovering nicely from the surgery. Please know I won't allow him to suffer any indignities or to live in pain, but I do hope to help keep him alive & happy & comfortable long enough to end our time together deliberately at home.

This goal includes the outstanding amount owed from his surgery & will help cover approximately three chemotherapy doses & three exams. If he should face any life-threatening complications over the next three months, I will help him pass with our vet's care.

I know the past several years have been challenging for most of us, & we have done our best to look after the people who need us, as well as the organizations & businesses that matter to us. Not everyone who cares about me & Walter is in any kind of position to help this way, & I need you to know that your friendship, your delight in Walter, means everything to me right now. I would be better situated myself had I not been so ill these past six months & managing too many unexpected health-related expenses.

Walter is my first dog ever -- as an adult or child -- & no matter what else is true, it has been the luckiest, loveliest decade of my life. With my entire heart, thank you for caring about us & thank you for letting me share Walter with you.