If you're like me...your pets are family. You love them no matter what. So this story touched my heart the minute I saw it. And if you're an animal lover, I ask you read it and share it with as many of your friends on Facebook and social media as you can.

A listener contacted me about a dog named Makahna. According to their GoFundMe page, Makahna was diagnosed with Large Cell Lymphoma a year after losing his brother Rascal.  Things haven't been easy since then. He started Chemo treatments immediately...going regularly for exams, for injections, and blood work.

Things were looking up until about a month ago. Makahna went in for his checkup and chemo when the doctor discovered his lymph nodes were not responding well to the treatment. The oncologist decided it was time to ramp up the treatment, which resulted in a loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, lethargy, and vomiting.

I know from my personal experience with my greyhound, High Roller, that the medication helps them feel OK...but they're certainly never really the same as they used to be. And such is the case with Makahna. During one of the big snow storms a few weeks ago, the oncologist cancelled his appointment, but instructed his family to see their family vet if needed. So instead of waiting, they took him in, and discovered a mass around the colon. Not the kind of news anyone wants to hear about their furry friend. X-rays revealed a mass on his prostate and it was crushing his colon preventing him from using the bathroom.  An ultrasound backed up the X-ray finding, and just as everyone had feared...there wan't much that could be done.

If you've never had to face making the decision about saying goodbye to your pet...count yourself as blessed. I can tell you from personal experience...it is the hardest thing you'll ever do. You're a basket of emotions. On one hand, you know it's the best choice for them. On the other, it's so incredibly hard to let go. That night, Makahna's family did their best to make him comfortable. The next morning the fight for his life began with a phone call to his oncologist. Not ready to stop fighting, a decision was made to drive to Massachusetts for a whole new series of tests, biopsies ultrasounds and hopefully some answers.

According to Makahna's GoFundMe page, the results of the tests were shocking. Makahna is in fact in remission from his lymphoma and there are no signs of cancer. It appears that has an abscess on his prostate and the mass around his colon, all show signs of infection and inflammation. Exactly why is still a mystery. His family says the only way to get an answer is extensive surgery. Which means he can no longer have chemo until he is fully recovered.

So they're asking for help in the fight to save his life. The medical bills are obviously overwhelming. They've set up a GoFundMe page where you can make a donation. If you can't make a donation, please share this story and help spread the word.

My thoughts and prayers are with Makahna and his family.

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