I'm Shelli, and this is Hunter. Hunter needs your help.



Hunter is the sweetest, most loving, unique dog you will ever meet. He steals the heart of everyone he comes in contact with - even self-professed "dog haters". His vibrance and genuine love of life truly brightens the day of everyone he meets, and I honestly believe that he helps make the world just a little bit brighter.







Hunter is 9 1/2 years old, and has been my best friend and trusty companion ever since we brought him home as a tiny baby. It was love at first sight.



A couple of weeks ago, we found out that Hunter had a Mast Cell Tumor. He had surgery on Saturday (July 23) to have it removed. Unfortunately, while they were removing the mass, they discovered a few more masses on his chest that needed to be removed. Due to these unexpected tumors, the vet is now concerned that it has possibly metastisized to his lungs.



Post-surgery picture:



He has an additional mass - about the size of a tangerine - on the ankle of his hind leg. That mass also needs to be removed, but due to the size of it, the very delicate location, and the fact that they need to be able to remove enough of an area around the tumor, we are going to need to consult with a specialist.





We were referred to an oncologist to discuss the best treatment options.



Unfortunately, this is all going to be very, very pricy. However, Hunter is my baby, the light of my life, and the center of my world, and I am going to do everything in my power to make sure he lives a long and happy life. That is where you come in!





Any funds raised will be used for the following:



- Re-payment for the surgery he has already had

- Chest X-Rays

- Oncology consultation

- Additional tests, as requested by oncologist

- Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or additional surgery as suggested by oncologist. Which method of treatment is used will depend on whether they were able to remove the tumors with good boundaries, and also on whether there has been metastasis

- Further testing, additional surgery + potential radiation therapy to remove the tumor on his hind leg

- Antibiotics, pain medication, anti-inflamatory, and other medication as needed

- Any additional expenses related to Hunter's health and well-being. Since this is the beginning of the road, I anticipate that there will be some unforeseen/miscellaneous expenses, but if we meet our fundraising goal, we will be able to make it work!



Since these sorts of things are very unpredictable, we are trying to get this process completed ASAP. His chest x-rays will take place in about a week, after the vet has determined that he has healed enough to be up to getting x-rayed. His appointment with the oncologist is scheduled for August 8th. Our official consultation with the joint surgery specialist is not yet scheduled, but based on his medical records, talking to the surgical team, and the results we have so far, she has told the vet that she suspects that we will need to consider, at the very least, an additional surgery to remove the tumor on his hind leg, potentially coupled with radiation therapy to ensure that the whole thing is gone.



I cannot adequately express how much this big guy means to me. I love him like a parent loves their child, and it is absolutely killing me to see him like this. I'm worried sick about him. I haven't slept a full night or eaten a full meal since we heard the news. I spend every waking moment hoping, wishing, praying that we can get the help we need.





Please help. I will be eternally grateful to any and everyone kind enough to help us through this tough time, and I promise each of you that I will pay it forward as soon as I am able. Even if you can't donate, please consider sharing.



Thanks for your time!