A Calgary couple is looking online for help saving their dog’s life, after she was diagnosed with a form of cancer that can potentially be cured with an expensive new therapy.

Gretchen’s owners, Colin Mitchell and his girlfriend Diana Bernier, have insurance for their 5-year-old Great Pyrenees pet, but it only covers expenses totalling $5,000 per year, per illness. They have almost hit the limit already, just covering the medical expenses since Gretchen was diagnosed with an aggressive sarcoma last month.

Gretchen is scheduled to start radiation next week. The cost of the radiation and the chemotherapy will be approximately $13,000, not including the additional costs for follow-up treatments.

"We found out this is treatable, which is great, but it's new and it's really expensive," Mitchell told CTV Calgary.

"For all of the love she has given those she has come into contact with, we don't feel it's fair to have to give up on her when she needs it the most," reads the description on the couple’s crowdfunding page.

Mitchell said he initially wasn't sure about crowdfunding for Gretchen's treatment costs, because there was nothing to reward donors other than the satisfaction of giving to a good cause.

But something obviously struck a nerve with potential donors. Since Mitchell and Bernier launched the campaign on YouCaring.com a week ago, they’ve had almost 100 people donate a total of approximately $7,500.

"There have been a lot of generous donors who we have no idea who they are," Mitchell said. "If you have a dog that's like a member of your family, that's like a best friend to you, then you would understand doing whatever you could for them."

YouCaring – the site used by Mitchell and Bernier - has helped more than 90,000 people or groups raise money to cover the costs of medical expenses, funerals, tuition, adoption, and pet care. In total, the website has helped raise more than $162 million.

The radiation that Gretchen is due to start next week will last for three days. As a certified therapy dog, Mitchell and Bernier hope that when Gretchen beats cancer she will be able to help others who waging their own battles against cancer. The owners said if there is leftover money they will donate it to charity.

With files from CTV Calgary's Rylee Carlson