Devastated dog owner desperate to raise funds for ‘sweet Labrador’ with cancer

Devastated Vanessa Merrett has set up a fundraiser to help pay for vital cancer treatment for her beloved Labrador Wilson. The six-year-old dog is unlikely to survive beyond a month without treatment.

He is starting chemotherapy this week but the insurance does not cover the full course of treatment. Vanessa, who lives in Yate, needs £3,000 to cover the full cost, which could save Wilson’s life.

Vanessa said watching Wilson deteriorate rapidly in the past few weeks has been ‘heart wrenching’ and is concerned about how her son Fred, who she describes as ‘sensitive’, will cope with the potential loss of his ‘best friend’.

Two weeks ago Vanessa arrived home from work, gave Wilson a scratch behind his ears to find six or seven tiny lumps. She immediately took him to the vet, who did a biopsy. The results came back as possible lymphoma (cancer in the cells of the lymph system), which was confirmed in follow-up tests.

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Wilson is now ‘covered head to toe’ in lumps, which have spread to his stomach and bladder. He has become weak and is refusing dog food, so Vanessa is cooking special meals for him.

Wilson has just turned six but there wasn't much to celebrate during his birthday this year which may be his last. (Vanessa Merrett)

She said: “I’ve had bad bouts of anxiety, postnatal depression, PTSD and he’s got me through all of it. He is just the best dog in the world. I've got a four-year-old boy and they’re just devoted to each other.

“He’s absolutely my best friend in the world and the thought of losing him as a six-year-old is just absolutely horrendous. You prepare yourself for a dog to get old and you go on those long walks on the beach with them when they’re old and tired and they tell you when it’s their time.

“It shouldn’t be his time, he’s only six and I lost my uncle to cancer last week as well. He’s just the kindest dog in the world, he’s so friendly. He’s like the life and soul of the party normally but lately he’s so flat and he’s lost all his spark.

Wilson and four-year-old Fred are 'devoted to each other.' (Vanessa Merrett)

“I spoke to the vet and all we’re hoping for is that he should pick up and get some of that life back in him. We’re just sitting there watching it take all the life out of him and it’s heart wrenching; I’m just clinging onto a bit of hope that he’ll respond to the chemo.”

You can donate to the Gofundme here.