Hi my name is Raina. I am blessed to have a rambunctious 7 year old name Pinky! I have had Pinky ever since she was 6 months old. As a puppy, Pinky was a very special child J . She has to sleep on a large dog pillow or else she won’t go to sleep. If she wants your attentions, especially if I’m on the computer, she nudges my hand and licks my arm. Pinky’s favorite game is what I like to call “get your baby”. This is when we play catch with an old ratty red stuffed animal bear. She absolutely loves that bear. Pinky is full of energy. The saying, “you can’t teach a dog old tricks” is so wrong. Just this month Pinky swam in a 10 feet lake for the first time in her entire life and she learned to fetch her leash and collar when I tell her that its time for a walk. We have been having such a great summer and then we found out the news…who would have thought a small lump on her hind leg would turn out to be a mast cell tumor. At a routine annual appointment in July my vet noticed the lump and suggested a biopsy. When the results came in I was devastated. I consulted with a board certified surgeon and they suggest surgery as soon as possible to prevent any spreading. They are planning on essentially do a skin graph from her abdominal region to replace the cancer area. First of all, I just couldn’t believe that something so small could be such a big deal. Secondly, how in the world am I going to be able to afford surgery? I was talking to my co-workers and some of then bluntly told me to just put her down. I couldn’t even fathom the thought! My Pinky is my child. I would just have to figure out a way. So for the last month I have begged and borrowed and I have been able to come up with $500. I have not been able to schedule the surgery yet because the vet requires up front payment. Thank goodness I found this organization.