Maizey's Medical #chocolaterocket

Hi, my name is Chris (Buck) Hansen.  For those who aren't familiar with myself and Maizey, we both work on the ski patrol at Brighton Ski Resort outside of Salt Lake City, Utah.  Seven years ago, twelve years after I began patrolling, I had the opportunity to bring Maizey into the realm every dog would just drool over, working as an avalanche rescue dog. 
     Maizey was rescued out of foster care by my wife as chocolate on valentines day at 5 months old, but we soon realized this English Standard Chocolate Lab was nothing short of a handfull, high drive, Go Time, all the time.  I suspected she had potential to work the job she's involved in, but it took a few years to see, as there are limited tags available in the canyon we work in. 
     She was a bit older than most dogs are who start this type of training,3 years old at the time, but she had all the signs of being a work dog, or as our Veterinarian put it "Yep, she's a work dog, she needs a hard hat, a lunch box, and a job!"  At the time, our avalanche dog program at Brighton needed a jump-start, and Maizey did just that for us.
     One year after beginning training, she certified through Wasatch Bacountry Rescue as a level A search and rescue dog.  Shortly thereafter, myself and Maizey went to Canada to attend a school at the Kicking Horse resort in British Columbia C.A.R.D.A. (Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association) puts on every year.  There we endured brutally cold temperatures, but I was amazed at Maizeys drive, and her persistent work drive, regardless of the -15 degree (F) temperatures.  She was declared the most improved dog at the end of the school, and hasn't slowed down since.
     Maizey inspired the foundation of, B.A.R.K. (Brighton Avalanche Rescue K-9 Unit), which has now blossomed into one of the strongest avalanche dog organizations in the Wasatch.  Currently with four active dogs/handlers, and the rest of the patrol pitching in to keep these teams trained and ready, all as volunteer efforts by those involved, we have had a lot of fun, though exhausting at times, getting our program to where it is today.
     Maizey is currently undergoing major surgery to remove a mass roughly tennis ball in size, impinging on her airway and brain.  She is otherwise incredibly healthy, to the tune of a four year old dogs' bloodwork.  The veterenarians are both perplexed and excited over this after seeing her scans.  Here's a link to her picture history.  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=o.202398302481&ref=mf   Any amount is greatly appreciated, even if you can't donate, please share, this is just as much about as what the potential can be of a rescue animal, as it is about a rescue dog who became an actual resuce dog.

        Thank you,
                                   Maizey
                                    Zak
                                    Belle
                                     Deliliah