When I got back from the road, something was wrong with Liam. He was having accidents inside, which he’d never done before, and just seemed generally depressed. I thought this might have been behavioral, being that this started happening when his fur-friend Gravy died. But soon enough he stopped eating and was moving more slowly than I’d ever seen.
Fast forward to some bloodwork, x-rays, and an ultrasound at the vet, and it was confirmed he had a mass growing on his spline. The mass was causing small tears in the spline, and in turn causing internal bleeding. The vet was compassionate and wonderful in her delivery of the news, but the options were pretty grim. Either remove the spline and send the mass for cancer testing, or make him comfortable for the next 4-6 months until the spline eventually ruptures.
Liam came into the picture at a strange but serendipitous time. Right as perhaps the most influential person in my life (Gramps) was gearing up to leave this earth, I met Liam. I’d never had a dog before and wasn’t in a position where I could keep him as I was still living in a dorm, but it was like we’d always known each other. I sent a picture to my mum, who also felt what I felt, and said to bring him home; we’d figure out the rest later. Five days later, Gramps died, and now I had this little being that depended on me and only ever wanted to love. I’d never experienced anything like it.
Over the early years, I’d stay up some nights in full emotional panic because this was my first time loving something this much and I was so afraid to lose him. I’d often have nightmares that he’d be taken away from me. I know that dogs don’t live forever, but it still feels unfathomable to think of a life without him. So at this point, it’s pretty obvious what choice I’ve made. We’re doing the surgery.
While I’ll be putting my life savings into this, I still won’t hit the mark. I’ve already received a beyond-generous donation from a close friend, and more friends have inspired me to reach out to ask for help. So, if you’ve known Liam, known a soul-pup like Liam, or really just love these lil fur-beings that we don’t deserve, please consider donating to his surgery fund. Thank you so much if you’ve read this far. As I write this, Liam is tucked up next to me having a little couch nap. Regardless of what happens, he will continue to be loved through every second.
TLDR; help fund's Liam's life-saving splenectomy!
