As many folks know, Sammie came into my life four years ago. I adopted her a few months after my dad passed away and about half way into the COVID pandemic. She had come from a hoarding situation with 6 other dogs, but when she met me, she rubbed against my leg and chose me. I was her mom from the moment we met. She has been my light and my joy.

Because of the pandemic, we have been inseparable. She depends on and trusts me. Her most recent diagnosis of Mast Cell Tumor cancer reinforced that I was her person. She had two tumors--one on her leg and one in her belly--removed in April. The vet wasn't able to get good margins due to where the tumors were located. There was a chance, since the tumors were high grade 2, that they would return. Sammie is already an elderly dog and did not do well with the anesthesia--it took her almost two months to completely recover. I elected not to do chemo or radiation for those reasons.

The cancer returned a few months ago and the tumors are everywhere--if not for them, Sammie is in perfect health. Seriously, her organs are still working, her coat is shiny, and her eyes are clear. But we have arrived at a place where the tumors are starting to throw histamine, which means she needs steroids and other drugs to live. Yesterday, I drove her to the ER when I saw bubbles coming out of her mouth--I realized that she was having a histamine attack. ER visits are not inexpensive. One of Sammie's Angel Humans helped us pay that bill (and I am forever grateful), but I know there will be more whether she is with me for another week, a month, or six months. In the last year, I've spent almost $10,000 for her care.

I am monitoring her quality of life and the one thing I do not want is for Sammie to suffer. I also don't want to make decisions about her health based upon my financial status; I'm unemployed and while it means I can be with her more often than not, it also means my economic situation is precarious. Sammie continues to be my priority and always has been. She has been a joy to be with and care for. Anyone who has seen us together understand that our bond is deep.

Whatever donations folks send will pay for her vet bills and medicine. If there are any funds leftover once she crosses over, I will donate them to the place where I adopted her from and a few other places where I know people could use help in paying for their own vet care. I want to thank my friends in advance for suggesting this use of the funds. I like the idea of creating Sammie's Fund before she is gone--and I'll keep it going because Sammie and her spunkiness and delight in life deserves to be known.