For those who don't know, Sookie is my 11-ish year older rescue. She's loved by every person who is lucky enough to spend even 30 seconds with her

I received her as a hospice foster in 2019 and formally adopted her last year. Prior to her rescue she was very emaciated and clearly malnourished. Her conditions were so out of control and her health suffered because of it. The cataracts in both of her eyes tell the story of a diabetic whose glucose levels were likely left on undressed for a long time

Today, Sookie has Mast Cell cancer, diabetes, hypothyroidism, a history of a heart abnormality, and is now up against this newest battle.

After noticing some pretty drastic weight loss as well as some new coughing I took her to the vet to discover a mass on her throat that upon aspiration appeared to be a mass related to her thyroid. Because those masses are typically malignant (cancerous) her vet, Dr. Rothstein and I, decided to do some imaging to determine if there was anything else going on. We found at least one additional mass in her abdomen that after an ultrasound was determined to be on her spleen. as well as some concern over potential involvement in her chest.

At her surgery consult today, 1/19/22, the surgeon and I discussed a few options, ending on taking the most immediate course of action with the hope that it would helps prevent any spread of cancer that could occur while we waited for any additional diagnostic imaging.

That was the removal of her spleen and the tumor with it as well as the removal of the mass that we believe to be on her thyroid or at least involved with it as well as the thyroid if that was the case when we got her into surgery.

The surgical findings were that the mass on her spleen was in fact rather large and unhealthy, signaling it's probable malignancy (a.k.a. it looked like cancer). That mass along with her spleen was removed. The mass by her thyroid on her neck was even more concerning. The surgeon found that the mass was it very abnormal, had a lot of vasculature around it, and almost engulfed in a very large vein in the neck that he said really shouldn't have even been there. The surgeon also stated that the surrounding vasculature looked “sick“ and it was clear and that that mass required removal as well as the thyroid gland associated with it. The level of vascularization and presentation of that tumor leaves concern that the cancer that is likely causing it could be elsewhere in the body and particularly concerning is its proximity to the chest and other vital organs.

Both masses have been sent for biopsy with a turnaround of hopefully no more than a week. However, due to the nature of what the surgeon saw and her history of cancer, we can suppose with a relatively high probability that one or both of those masses will be return a diagnosis of one form of cancer or another.

She has an oncology appointment scheduled in preparation for that diagnosis but, in the meantime I am tasked with paying for the most recent procedure that likely extended, if not saved, her life and gave us a a chance to fight whatever this is.

Sookie‘s veterinary care on a good day is very expensive and I absolutely knew this when adopting her as well as the fact that when a dog has a history of cancer it increases their chance of eventually being diagnosed with another kind of cancer. Knowing all of this and adopting her anyway was of course my decision and that's my responsibility. So I have never asked for any kind of monetary assistance before. I'm asking for it now because I plan on doing everything in my power to let her continue enjoying life.

Those that know her know that she is absolutely full of life despite her age and all of her health issues. She is constantly full of joy and just radiates love and happiness to everyone who is lucky enough to spend more than 30 seconds with her. And she does all of that despite the terrible neglect that she faced prior to her rescue in 2019. She is the epitome of the “perfect” dog and the most amazing ambassador for her breed. She deserves every chance in the world to continue to enjoy her life to the fullest, especially after not being given that same treatment by those who neglected her in her past.

She is also my best friend in the entire world and to be honest, I would probably spend any amount of money to make sure that she is happy and comfortable but, obviously I am limited to the amount of money that I have at my disposal.

if you've read this far, thank you so much for your time and your care. This fundraising amount was the minimum amount required for her surgery today (1/19/21). There likely will be many more expenses to come but, if I could even get help with this amount it would allow me to continue to help her on this journey as long as she is willing to fight. If the minimum amount changes or some thing is added, I will of course update you all.

THANK YOU for your time and loving support, both monetarily and otherwise it means the world to me.

Primary Care: Dr. Rothstein, Saugerties Animal Hosptial

Surgical and Oncology: Katonah-Bedford Veterinary Center - VCA