Irish Rose is a 12-year-old Labrador in Stacy, MN, who needs $1,493 for tumor removal and pathology.

Irish Rose has been the most loving, kind, and dedicated dog to Jesse A. and her family.

"My mom gave Irish her name in homage to my father who was of partial Irish ancestry," Jesse tells Waggle. "He loved dogs. Irish was my mom's companion after my dad passed. Six years later, my mom passed, and Irish became my companion. My only companion for a few years. It was extremely painful, as my parents were quite young. Honestly, Irish has helped me through a lot of hard times. She helped my mom too."

But now, Irish needs help!

"Irish has always been pretty healthy. She still acts like a puppy. Recently a mass formed on her lower gum line, and unrelated, I hope, she has been gagging or coughing. I took her to Mission Animal Hospital. They put together a plan to remove and biopsy the mass and take X-rays," Jesse says.

The estimate for Irish's care is an amount she can't afford. "I work at a nonprofit and don't make a lot of money. I drive 70 or so miles round trip a day, five days a week to be there. With gas the way it is, I live paycheck to paycheck. I just want to be able to give my dog the care she deserves. It would mean the world to me," she says.

Jesse can't imagine not having Irish in her home and heart. "Irish loves life. She is the sweetest little ham of a dog. When we are playing catch, she runs over and throws the ball at me with her mouth. Then she kind of hops and wiggles backward very quickly. Finally, she jumps up and down and barks loudly. She also does this any time I water the garden. It makes me happy to see her this excited about life," Jesse says.

But most of all, Jesse adds, Irish has such kindness in her soul.

"Together we are Irish, Kitty (my girlfriend's pit bull), my girlfriend, and myself. Irish and Kitty get along wonderfully! Irish does tend on the naughty side at times. She has Mcgiver skills in finding and annihilating any packages of food or treats that are not above chest height. She likes to beg but is pretty reasonable about it. It's kind of hilarious. She loves everyone. She is so kind," Jesse says.

Can you help Irish continue making a difference in Jesse's life?