Help Laska get Surgical removal of the affected salivary gland. — Bloomington, IL

I adopted Laska on 7/12/26, just three three months ago. She was 3 yrs, 9 mo. I've had 2 big Goldens; Ralph died at age 10, Yukon at 11. Yukon passed 3 years ago. I looked into adopting a dog and immediately fell in love with her. Alaska seemed like the perfect name for a big, white fluffy dog who loves the cold and when I discovered that "Laska" means "love" in Czech it was meant to be.

When I adopted her, I knew she had a sialocele under her jaw but did not realize the best treatment is to remove the damaged salivary gland. If not removed, the fluid build up could start to affect her esophagus which, in turn, could affect her eating, breathing, etc. The standard, definitive treatment is sialoadenectomy (surgical removal of the affected salivary gland-duct complex).

I'm an empty nester and still quite active. I love taking her on walks at a park behind the high school that I teach at. My students love her and want her to be the school mascot. Laska is a sweet, loving girl and I enjoy her very much. She loves greeting people and dogs on walks. I've only had her for 3 months but I can't imagine life without her. I love her sweet heart and laugh at her antics!

I'm a teacher. Enough said? All kidding aside, as you know, teachers don't have high salaries. This procedure is over $4,000. I had a nice $3,800 fence installed in my backyard so she can run & play. I needed a new roof after high winds came through our city. Many expenses.