Marley

About the Campaign

Marley is a 7-year-old female German Shepherd with a brain tumor. She is stable right now on prednisone and anti-seizure medication, but the MRI showed a mass in her brain, and the recommended treatment is surgery followed by radiation. The total cost is about $20,000.

This started with a seizure in the middle of the night. Austin woke up around 2 a.m. to hear Marley shaking at the end of the bed, turned on the light, and realized she was having a seizure. Two months later, she had another one. Then in early June, Marley became lethargic, stopped eating and drinking normally, and within a week or two was stumbling, losing balance, running into walls, and losing control of the right side of her body.

Austin took Marley to the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where the emergency and neurology teams confirmed serious neurological problems. They did an MRI and spinal tap to rule out other causes, including fungal disease, and found the brain tumor. A doctor at UW is willing to do the surgery, and Austin wants to give Marley that chance.

Marley has been with Austin since she was 8 weeks old. He had just moved out on his own and found a breeder with puppies. There were two left, both smaller “runt” puppies, and when Austin went to meet them, Marley came right up to him. He says he picked her because she picked him. For a long time, it was just Austin and Marley living together.

The cost is the barrier. Austin has already spent about $6,000 on Marley’s testing and care. He has some money saved and was approved for CareCredit, but he still does not have the full amount needed for surgery and radiation. He works as a driver, and his girlfriend, Aliyah, works painting and staining doors, but this emergency is far beyond what they can cover on their own.

Marley is doing well enough right now that surgery is possible, and Austin wants to act while she still has that chance. If they cannot raise the funds, the only option may be palliative care. Donations will help cover Marley’s brain surgery, radiation treatment, medications, hospitalization, specialist care, and follow-up so this beloved dog can have the best chance at more good time. All donations are paid only to the veterinarian. Estimate below, click to enlarge: