A local mum was left devastated after her beloved husky was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour.
Samantha Kay was given her dog, Mayah, from her uncle, Alan, around eight years ago after he was tragically diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Bringing up the gorgeous dog, Samantha, from Ladywell, has formed an extremely close bond with Mayah, and had experienced no health issues with her in the past.
However, in January the 29-year-old had noticed an unusual lump on Mayah's stomach and leg which she believed to be a small pouch of fat.
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But when the lump rapidly grew to the size of a golf ball within a week, an investigation by the vet discovered that the dog was suffering with cancer.
Crushed at the news, Samantha told Edinburgh Live: "I've had Mayah in the family since she was around 12 weeks old, we drove down south to go and get her for my uncle.
"At the tome he was quite severely depressed and a bit lost, he was finding life really difficult and we thought the dog would cheer him up and get him out of the house.
"Unfortunately, around six or seven months after getting her my uncle was diagnosed with terminal cancer and he passed away. He said he wanted me to take Mayah and care for her, I hadn't planned on having a dog but there was absolutely no way I could say no to him so she came to us."
Currently living with her young daughter and other husky , Zeus, Samantha was told Mayah would need further tests, as well as an operation to remove the tumours providing the cancer has not spread.
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Feeling as though she had been hit with a huge blow out of the blue, the mum-of-one was devastated at the thought of losing her family pet.
She added: "Mayah is really mellow and sweet, she's not your average husky and can sometimes be a little timid, but she loves everyone and everyone loves her, especially kids.
"Her and Zeus, my other husky are just a few weeks apart in age and they have always been so close. Zeus was my dad's dog and when he passed away he came to us too.
"They've been so close for years, one of the first nights Mayah was with my uncle she came and stayed with me and my dad at the time and just really took to Zeus.
"I feel like I'm walking on eggshells right now, she seems fine in herself and quite happy but saying that, last night she woke me at around 3am and she was a bit wobbly on her feet, so I'm getting really worried.
"I don't know how to explain how much she means to us, she is really just everything especially with everything that's happened.
"She goes everywhere with me and I don't know what I would do without her, she's only nine and I've had no previous health issues with her at all, so this has all just happened so fast."
Able to get the operation booked in for February 21, Samantha was forced to try and come up with around £2,000 to cover the costs of the surgery.
Launching a GoFundMe just a few days ago, the family were overwhelmed to have seen over £1,200 raised by local contributions.
Not expecting the response she received, Samantha said: "I'm so shocked and I didn't think I would even get half of that, I feel so blessed for all the help from everyone."
You can donate to the fundraiser for Mayah's surgery here.
