Peppy

About the Campaign

Peppy is a 7-year-old female Shetland Sheepdog and Chihuahua mix with a mammary tumor. Dr. Tarantino at Blue Ridge Plaza Veterinary Clinic(opens in new tab) has recommended surgical removal, with the tissue tested afterward. He thinks it is probably not cancer, but about half of mammary tumors in dogs are malignant, and the only way to know is to take it out and look.

Peppy loves belly rubs, and about a week ago that is how her owner Michael found the lump on one of her nipples. He took her to the vet the same day. Mammary tumors that are removed while small have the best outcomes, whether or not they turn out to be cancer, so the plan is to do it now.

Michael was not looking for a dog when visiting his kids on vacation and stopped by their aunt’s house, where his former sister-in-law had more animals than she could care for. Peppy was matted and in rough shape, and it took a long time to get her coat cut down. He asked if he could take her and they said yes. He felt he had to help. Since then she has become his emotional support animal. Michael has lost most of his family in a short span: his mother in 2016, his sister in 2017, his brother in 2018, and his grandmother right before Christmas last year. Peppy is a big part of what keeps him going.

Michael was a chef at the City Union Mission for four and a half years until a heat stroke put him out of work. He missed too many days recovering and was let go. He is unemployed now, living in his grandfather’s basement, behind on the rent he pays him, and covering only his insurance and phone bill. He is looking for work and plans to go through a staffing agency. There is no money for a surgery.

We have partnered with Dr. Tarantino on many cases, and he has confirmed that Michael’s finances are as tight as they sound. Donations will cover Peppy’s bloodwork, anesthesia, surgery to remove the tumor, biopsy of the tissue, pain medication, and follow-up care. All donations are paid only to the veterinarian, and the estimate is below (click to enlarge):