Harvey needs help

My partner Monica + I live in Auckland and have for the last 6+ months being looking after our neighbours pug Alfie 3 times a week during the days while we work at home. We did this completely free due to our love of dogs. After falling in love with Alfie, we got in touch with Alfie's breeder and found that Alfie's parents were looking to breed a week later.

Over the course of the next few weeks, our breeder sent us photos of the puppies and 6 weeks later, visited to make our pick. Harvey stuck out from the moment we arrived, was so happy, wagged his tail, and licked us constantly.

At 9 weeks, we took him home + within hours noticed a small spot on his paw.

Over the next few days, this size of this lump grew to the point where the vets said that we should take this off as it could be a tumour.

We were devastated that our first time getting a puppy, after all our prep, emotional investment, and research, Harvey was to be tested in life so early on.

Following a successful surgery, the lump was sent away for testing and on Saturday 19th of November, we were told by the vet that this was a Grade II Mast Cell Tumour.

It is almost unheard of for puppies to get this, and based on the 95 available studies, our vet has told us that Harvey has can average of 4 months to live.

Upon contacting our insurance company, they have said that because the first check where we noted the lump as during a "cool-down" period of the first 3 days, this counts as a pre-existing condition and therefore the thousands we have spent on surgery, medicine, bandages are not covered. This also means that following the completion of our puppy insurance (6 weeks), we will not be able to get Harvey covered.

We are now looking for any help to try to prevent MCT coming back, and prolong Harvey's life as long as possible, and cover the thousands we have spent on surgery, medicine, and treatment.

Our breeder has been great through the process, and although she has offered to take Harvey back, we feel that due to his limited life expectancy, we can provide for him and give him the fullest life possible with multiple playdates weekly with his brother Alfie, and the amazing community of pugs around us.

Thank you so much,

Alex, Monica and Harvey xxx