Community support grows as Morgan and Matt Hasara fight alongside their pit bull, Zeke
In the Hasara household in Lansdale, Zeke is not just a pet. He is family.
The 86-pound American Staffordshire terrier, affectionately known as an oversized “lap dog,” has spent the past six years filling the home of Morgan and Matt Hasara with tail wags, couch cuddles and a personality big enough to match his frame.
Now the couple is asking the community for help as Zeke undergoes treatment for an aggressive form of cancer.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched at a $2,500 goal to help cover the cost of chemotherapy and other medical care for the 7-year-old rescue dog, whose diagnosis has turned the family’s world upside down.
“Zeke is our baby,” Morgan Hasara said. “When people ask if we have kids, we say we already have a kid with four paws.”
From neglected rescue to beloved family member
Zeke’s story began long before he became a Hasara family member.
Before being rescued, the pit bull spent the first year and a half of his life tied to a tree without consistent food or water. When he was finally brought into a shelter, he struggled to keep food down for weeks because his body had gone so long without regular meals.
Morgan first met him while visiting the shelter with her mother to donate blankets.
“We were not intending to get another dog,” she said. “But when I saw him, I immediately fell in love.”
Three days later, Zeke came home.
When Morgan later moved in with her now husband, Matt Hasara, the couple kept the promise she made to her parents: Zeke would go wherever she went.
Over the years, the dog became the center of their daily routines.
He loves long walks, naps on the couch, and playing tug-of-war with his favorite orange ball, a toy with handles that he proudly carries around the house. Visitors quickly learn about one of Zeke’s funniest habits.
“If anyone sits on the floor, he comes over and sits on them like a chair,” Morgan said with a laugh. “He is 86 pounds, so he is not exactly the ideal lap dog.”
Another signature move is what the family calls the “paw-paw dance,” when Zeke lifts one paw and then the other repeatedly whenever he gets excited.
“He just wants to be loved on 24/7,” she said.
A shocking diagnosis
The family’s routine changed suddenly earlier this year.
While Zeke was visiting his “gandpawrents,” Morgan’s parents, her father noticed a lump near the dog’s tail. At first, the family assumed it was a cyst that could be easily drained.
A veterinary test revealed something far more serious.
Zeke had mast cell cancer, a type of tumor that can be common in pit bulls. After surgery to remove the growth, pathology results confirmed the worst: Grade 3 mast cell cancer, an aggressive form of the disease.
When the couple received the news, they tried to stay composed inside the veterinary office.
“Once we got outside, we were both sobbing,” Morgan said.
Without treatment, they were told, Zeke might have only about four weeks to live.
Fighting for more time
Determined to give their dog every chance, the Hasaras quickly consulted a veterinary specialist.
An ultrasound delivered a small piece of good news: the cancer had not spread.
Because of that, veterinarians recommended intravenous chemotherapy treatments.
Zeke’s treatment plan includes eight total sessions. The first four are weekly treatments, followed by four additional treatments spaced every two weeks.
So far, the dog has been handling the therapy relatively well.
“The only side effect he has had is some stomach upset from the chemo,” Morgan said. “But we have medication to help with that.”
Despite the stress and frequent appointments, the family says Zeke’s spirit remains strong.
“He still seems like himself,” she said.
Mounting medical costs
Cancer treatment for pets can be expensive, and the costs have added up quickly.
The Hasaras have already spent more than $3,000 on diagnostics, surgery and early treatments. The remaining chemotherapy sessions are expected to add another $2,500 or more.
The GoFundMe campaign aims to raise about $2,500 to help cover chemotherapy treatments, medications and follow-up care.
Even with the financial strain, the family said the decision to pursue treatment was immediate.
“We didn’t even think twice about it,” Morgan said. “He deserves the best life possible.”
Support from unexpected places
Sharing Zeke’s story has already brought moments of kindness.
During one veterinary appointment, the couple struck up a conversation with another dog owner who also had a pit bull. Matt mentioned Zeke’s Facebook page — “Zeke the Dog.”
Later, the woman found the page online and donated to the fundraiser.
“We didn’t even know her,” Morgan said. “But she was willing to help another family.”
The gesture, she said, was a reminder of how much compassion people can show for animals and the families who love them.
For Morgan, sharing Zeke’s story is about more than just raising funds.
She also hopes people will see the gentle nature of a breed that is often misunderstood.
“Zeke wouldn’t hurt a fly,” she said. “People always talk about pit bulls in a negative way, but the truth is they are incredibly loving dogs.”
Many owners she has spoken with describe their dogs the same way.
“Cuddlebugs,” she said.
A family’s hope
For now, the Hasaras are focusing on giving Zeke the best care possible and cherishing every moment they have with him.
Their days still revolve around his routine: walks, playtime with the orange ball, and plenty of couch naps.
“He is basically an 86-pound perpetual toddler,” Morgan said. “But he is the best dog.”
Those who wish to support Zeke’s treatment can donate through the family’s GoFundMe page:
Donate to Zeke's fight here: https://gofund.me/698c7e502
Morgan said every donation, message or share means the world to their family.
“We just want to give him the best chance we can,” she said. “He has already overcome so much in his life. We’re not ready to give up on him.”
