Help Cash get right hind leg amputation — Norman, OK

We adopted Cash from a coworker whose dog had an unexpected litter. Cash was the last unadopted puppy, and already a big boy, when we brought him home around 4-5 months. He was immediately a fear member of the family. My daughters have both grown up with him. He's gentle despite his large size and so tolerant of the kids and our elderly cat. He is an excellent companion to me on walks, hikes, camping trips, and at home. He is a quiet boy who only seems to make noise if an unfamiliar footstep approaches our home--but boy what a noise he makes then! He loves other dogs and the dog park. He is a favorite at the vet and the kennel when we must go out of town without him. He's not ready, and we're not ready, for his time with us to be over.

Cash developed a fast growing spindle cell sarcoma on his right back leg over the past 90 days. He is otherwise in good health and spirits. X-rays have shown no metastasis or bone involvement but the vet recommends amputation to get the sarcoma out with clean enough margins to reduce the chance of recurrence. His prognosis with this surgery is very good!

My daughters are 12 and 10, so they have had Cash in their lives for all of their memories (9 years). My youngest especially is deeply connected to him and to all dogs. Her favorite part of every event is all the dogs she got to meet, but her favorite dog of all is our Cash. I love that Cash is game for anything we want to do-a jog, a slow walk, a swim, a cuddle, a romp in the rare Oklahoma snow.

Several years have been financially tough on our family: student loans, medical bills, car & home repairs all eat in to our thin budget. Even though my husband & I both work hard, a surgery that is more expensive than our mortgage is a hurdle we are struggling to overcome.