Niko is a 11 year old American Pit Bull Terrier in Greensboro, NC, who needs $1,600 for Tumor Mass Removal.

Niko will be 12 next month and has the same birthday as my father who passed away several years ago. He has been with me since he was 4 months old. In our home, we have Mila (my 4 year old daughter), Niko, Nova (1.5 year old adopted black lab), and myself. Niko is the calm in the chaos and has been my rock for nearly 12 years.

Niko has developed fatty tumors, but one on his ankle was unusual because of the location. The tumor has grown over the past couple of months and it wasn't advised to have it removed until May when it was starting to bleed. Before having the opportunity, it ruptured and needs to be removed. It will not heal on it's own and will likely become infected. He has been treated by Banfield Pet Hosp.

Niko has been by my side since I graduated from college in 2011 and moved into my first apartment in 2012. In the last nearly 12 years, he hasn't met a person or an animal that didn't love him as much as I love him. He is truly the definition of a "once in a lifetime" dog. He is extremely smart, loyal, patient, and protective. He has always just known what to do and he has saved me daily.

I am a legally separated mother who was a stay-at home mom previously. I now work part-time for a local nonprofit that teaches human trafficking prevention and awareness and I'm in school full time. I unfortunately do not qualify for care credit or scratchpay.