A HEREFORDSHIRE Labrador owner has set up a GoFundMe page after receiving heartbreaking news from his vets.

Student Jess Astley lives in Tupsley with her beloved four-year-old dog, Leo. She describes Leo as “the most loving, happy, four-year-old labrador you will ever meet. If you came across him in any circumstance, he would immediately roll onto his back and demand a tummy scratch before kissing you goodbye."

“He is my fur baby and I adore him,” said Ms Astley.

Jess and Leo: he's the most loving dog.Jess and her Labrador, Leo are extremely close. (Image: Jess Astley)

The kind, affectionate lab had noticeably started to become “very ill” in the week commencing June 17, so his devoted owner rushed into action, pooling everything her insurance and savings could afford to cover the CT scan and tests that would find the source of the problem.

When the results came in, Leo was “diagnosed with a pyothorax condition with multiple abscesses in his lungs and down his oesophagus,” with surgery costing a colossal £8000 of savings that Ms Astley “simply cannot earn fast enough, even working full-time.”

LeoFour-year-old Leo has been diagnosed with "multiple abscesses." (Image: Jess Astley) 

Ms Astley said, “I bought Leo when I was 16 and have worked tirelessly to give him the cushiest life possible,” and discussed how, “as a student, this has been challenging but I haven’t failed him yet and I’m determined to not do so now.” Her GoFundMe page more than emphasises this devotion.

Ms Astley doesn’t know what she would do without Leo, but although he's currently “managing day-to-day on antibiotics and painkillers that manage the symptoms, pain and shortness of breath,” a gut-wrenching truth remains: the treatment he's receiving “cannot continue forever,” and may result in a decision being made that she “is trying everything to avoid, especially as at not yet five, he is so young.”

Leo is still so young to consider the alternative if he can't have the surgeryLeo is still so young to consider the alternative if he can't have the surgery (Image: Jess Astley)

“With the surgery, the prognosis is very positive with a high quality of life after and a low chance of reoccurrence,” so Ms Astley is “appealing to anyone who can afford to part with some funds to help ease the amount needed to give my precious dog the surgery he needs to continue living life as he deserves.

“Anything, no matter how small, would be more than greatly appreciated.”