Help Shaq get Intra-thoracic surgery — Kennesaw, GA

Shaq is my best friend. He's a 7.11 yr old Great Dane. I love his goofy, lovable, silly, protective self. Sadly, he's recently been diagnosed with a growing mass located near his ribs. He needs a surgery called Intra-Thoracic Surgery. Our own Vet doesn't perform this type of surgery that only a Specialist can do.

The estimated cost will be somewhere betwen $2000 - $3000. It breaks my heart knowing that I cannot afford the costs. I'm not one to ask for help; I'm the one who typically helps others, including people and animals. But my income is very limited and I'm reaching out to others for help.

I will know further details this coming Monday, 8/31/26 and will update this page then. Donations would be greatly appreciated and can be made directly to the Vet Clinic or me. Either way, this is an urgent request as he will need surgery immediately. Our Vet said the mass is intertwining itself around Shaq's lungs and that it could also develop into cancer if not taken care of ASAP.

Thank you in advance for your help and prayers, which are also desperately needed.

Mass that requires an Intra-Thoracic surgery. The hospital will more than likely be Blue Pearl in Atlanta, GA or UGA University in Athens, GA or Auburn University in Auburn, AL.

I got Shaq when he was 9 weeks old, and he's been my inseparable best friend ever since. My protector, my funny clown, my everything. He is also my lifesaver. I miss the daily walks we used to go on. The mass has caused him to start limping and I don't dare take him on walks for fear of causing further discomfort.

Shaq was born 2 days before my mom passed away from ovarian cancer. She was "my person," my go-to whenever I had good or bad news. Her passing greatly affected me. Shaq was the only one that put a smile on my face. Even though it would be 9 weeks before I got to hold Shaq in my arms, he brought so much joy during a time when I was so broken and sad. The thought of losing him is absolutely unbearable!

Up until 2023, my take home pay was $100K. Life was good. Life was manageable...that is, until early February 2023 when I was part of a big company layoff. As hard as I tried to turn my situation around, it would not be unit February 2024 before I finally got another job offer. But it was at a $40K paycut. I had no choice to accept it, no other offers were coming in. I've been trying to increase my finances ever since.

My biggest fear has come true. That something might happen to Shaq that I couldn't afford to take care of. He's such a good sweet boy. He's even pretty popular on my Facebook account.