An intensive care nurse who has spent the past year on the front-line against covid has pleaded for help to save her "beautiful" dog from a cruel fate.
Kim Atherton, who works at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital in Broadgreen, is desperate to raise money to cover a £15,000 vet bill to save her rare Bull Arab breed Delilah.
Seven-year-old Delilah is a much-loved member of the family with Kim and her fiancé, personal trainer Dave Street, and the Maghull couple say they cannot contemplate life without her.
After noticing Delilah limping a fortnight ago, they took her to the vets and after scans were later given the devastating news she had an aggressive cancerous tumour in her leg, called an osteocarcinoma
A specialist has now told Kim and Dave their only hope is expensive surgery and chemotherapy, which could give Delilah a normal and happy life.
Kim told the ECHO she bought Delilah in Australia, when she was a six-month-old pup, before bringing her back to the UK where she later met Dave.
She said: "I think she may be one of the only dog of her breed in the UK, they use this breed in Australia to hunt wild boar.
"She’s now only just turned seven, she gets so much attention whenever we take her out for a walk or take her anywhere really.
"She’s just amazing inside and out. She’s adored by so many."
Kim said a specialist vet in Surrey found the tumour is in its early days and has not yet spread
The vet has recommended a procedure called endoprosthesis; removing the affected bone and replacing it with prosthesis.
Without the surgery Delilah will suffer a pathological fracture and have to be put down.
Kim said: "It has been a horrible few months.
"I caught covid through work and me and Dave both had it. Our wedding has been cancelled three times as well, but Delilah was such a fantastic support.
"We have such a happy life together and we are just devastating, she is part of the family and we have been in tears thinking we could lose her."
Kim says she has to be careful with Delilah's leg and cannot let her run free in case the pressure snaps the bone.
Although Delilah was insured, the procedure is not covered and Kim has started a Gofundme crowdfunding page to ask for help.
So far friends and wellwishers have donated £3,605, which Kim describes as "amazing."
The page says: "Delilah has the most amazing personality and everyone who meets her is fascinated by how gorgeous she is.
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"She flew from Australia at 6 months old and is the most unique and beautiful dog. Besides all this, she’s Dave’s and my baby and is utterly adored.
"She has so much life left in her and she’s only just turned seven, we can’t let her die this young. If anyone could help by donating whatever you can, we are forever in your debt."
Anyone wishing to donate can do so here.
