Help Rilo beat cancer

Olivia Gains is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

My name is Liv! If you know me, you probably already know Rilo. He is my 7 (almost 8!) year old Australian Cattle Dog/German shorthaired Pointer pup.

I got Rilo at 4 months old, when I was 18. I found him on the website of an Australian Cattle Dog Rescue in Virginia, and immediately said "That's my dog". He looked so awkward and shy, and was initially called Gracie because I guess they thought he was a little girl dog.

Since picking Rilo up in Virginia in 2014, I haven't really done anything without him. We hitchhiked across Canada and the United States for over 6 months immediately after picking him up as a puppy, we drove across Canada one summer once I got my first car, he's been to a ton of my gigs (I'm a musician), came to all the open mic's I hosted at the (GRB) brewery, and last year Rilo and I drove down to Mexico together. He is literally my best friend, and he's the coolest guy I know.

After being attacked by a pug (who he would not bite back), Rilo was afraid to leave the house for a month after. He is so kind and so gentle and he does not deserve everything he is facing right now.

At the end of July, after a few months of vet appointments and tests, Rilo was diagnosed with Cancer. It is called Fibrosarcoma, and it is a lump on his nose/jaw area. Since the diagnosis, we have had several appointments with a Veterinary Oncologist (Cancer treatment specialist) who has recommended Surgery (A Maxillectomy). I have booked this for Friday, August 20th. I have so far spent around $4500 on tests, and don't quite have enough for his surgery which is estimated at around $8000.

After the Maxillectomy, they will send the tumour in for biopsy, and if there are cancer cells found in the outermost portion of the tumour, then they would recommend Radiation treatments, which were estimated at an additional $8000. We are hoping that he wont need this, though they said that any pain would be manageable through medication. He will still be able to live a good quality life.

Several friends and family members have recommended Go Fund Me, and so I'm reaching out in order to raise funds for his treatments/vet appointments.

I'm not ready to lose him, and I've been told by several veterinarians/vet techs/surgeons and the oncologist that they would recommend this surgery, and that he will be able to live a normal life after (just no toys for three weeks following while he heals, then its beach time (he LOVES the beach) and toy time (he also loves his toys) as soon as he's allowed!!)

We are so grateful for any contributions, whether they're financial, sharing this, or simply praying/good vibes for him. I'm hoping for the best possible outcome and appreciate any help.