I have a 13 1/2 yr old black, female, Lab - she has been very healthy - I had to put her mother and brother down this past year - a few months after her mother left her she developed, an epulius - grade 1 - a tumor that grew between her bottom teeth and lip - it is malignant but not cancer per the biopsy - I had it removed 5 times in the last 6 months and now my Vet. told me he could not operate again because there is not enough tissue to stitch it. I went to Mich. Vet. Specialist last Sat. and was told I could have surgery there and he could fix it by removing a small part of her jaw for $3500.00 - I am a retired, divorced State employee and do not have the funds to do this - Nikki, her name, is in very good heath other than this hugh tumor growing from her mouth and preventing her from drinking or eating - I live by Lake Huron so I take her swimming every night with my little Lab is just got and she drinks the lake water because she goes out deep enough for the water runs in her mouth and I feed her with my fingers because the tumor is in the way so she can't get her tongue down that far - she knows and is overcoming this obstacle by knowing she is going to the Lake to drink and that I feed her. This is not good so it has been recommended that I put her down - a healthy dog that is waiting at the door for me when I get home - goes to the beach swimms - runs on the beach wants to eat and drink. This tumor is now bleeding all over the place - I am searching for an answer - I guess do I have any other recourse? Do organizations finance something like this? Does MSU every take a situation like this and because it is kind of rare because of the location - being a teaching university- take a dog like this and try to learn from something like this - putting an animal to sleep because the cost of restruction is too much - is not a good reason - I am sure there are other situations where humans don't have the funds - can you please offer me perhaps a solution so Nikki can have a good quality life for as long as she may have left and believe me you would have to see her to see what good shape she is in. Thank you. Please help.

Optional Information:
Age: >12; Female; Breed: Labador Retriever

Already Tried:
Surgery - 5 times/p>