Axel is a 5-year-old Pit Bull Mix in Valparaiso , IN, who needs $2,000 for Toe Amputation due to Carcinoma.

I’m disabled and my adult son lived with me taking care of me and he brought home a young puppy that was needing a home, he named him Axel. He started training him right away to help me as a service dog for my needs. He became a member of the family immediately. My adult son passed away unexpectedly leaving me Axel more necessary and extremely important to me in more ways than one.

Since my son’s passing, my daughter moved in with me to be my caretaker bringing with her 2 small dogs. Axel loves everyone, animals or humans, he makes friends easily. He is very in tone with my needs. He senses when I am about to fall and is there to help me get up or break my fall. He also follows hand gestures helping me get up out of bed or a chair.

He is a very smart dog, he loves activity games. He is a very large dog but a good natured one. He’s calm and quiet in the house but lets me know if someone is here. He loves running around in our fenced in yard playing with his ball and visiting with the neighbors dog. I feel a special connection to him because of my son who got him for me.

Axel was diagnosed with carcinoma on his toe on his front paw. Our veterinarian said he needed his toe amputated but that he could adjust well with his 3 remaining toes. By doing this surgery they would remove all the cancer and he would have a normal life ahead of him.

I’m divorced and my only income is a small disability social security. My income supports my daughter who can’t work , myself and dogs. I’m trying to maintain homes expenses with a small income. I don’t want to lose Axel but I don’t want him to suffer.