Reese Petunia is a 8-year-old Staffordshire Terrier mix in Jacksonville, FL, who needs $2,000 for Melanoma Vaccine.

My name is Lisa Murphy and I am fundraising for my beloved Reese who was recently diagnosed with stage 1 oral melanoma. My daughter and I rescued Reese from a bad situation when she was about 6 mos old. For the last 4 years Reese & I and 2 cats are the only ones in the house. She is a wonderful companion. If not for Reese I don’t think I’d get out some days.

Reese and I are best friends. Her other best friend is my cat Gracie. They snuggle together for naps. Reese loves everyone and her goal is to kiss her family members on the lips. Her favorites are my children and grandchildren. She has a gentle mode she uses for younger children. She celebrates homecomings with zoomies, Then she stares at the person until she can get a kiss, lips preferred!

Reese talks! She seems to be mimicking me and pleading with me. This is usually when she wants to go out for a walk or outside for some reason.

She also is a lip kisser. It startles some people given that she’s 60lbs. She sometimes decides she likes a stranger and wants to kiss their lips, they could be sitting on our sofa or standing in our driveway. I have developed a few friends this way!

Reese was diagnosed with a stage 2 low grade MCT and oral melanoma on 11/19. Both were removed 11/22. 12/14 veterinary oncology ran imaging and pathology and determined no metastatic disease. Her oral melanoma is stage 1. She can have surgery on 12/20, surgeon feels he can remove the remaining melanoma with good margins.
For the best outcome Reese will need immunotherapy/ melanoma vaccine.

I had a medical crisis a few years ago. I was sent to MD Anderson Cancer Center as my blood work indicated Multiple Myeloma. I lost my insurance and this caused financial hardship I’m still recovering . My dx was Lupus and Immunogobuglamamenia. Reese is my heart and soul.