Help save a part of our family

This handsome fella' in the picture is our family dog, Ryder. Over the last 3 months his health and mobility have been rapidly declining. What started out with a slight limp in June has progressed to him barely being able to walk. He has three locations on his spine where the dics have become calcified and are pressing on his spinal cord. Because of this, the signals from his brain that tell his lower body to move cannot all reach their destination. This also causes him extreme amounts of pain and quite a bit of weakness. He is unable to lift his back legs fully and often needs to be carried just to move a couple of feet. He has recently lost his ability to control his bladder. We have been to visit the vet more times than I can count. We are attempting to control his pain with a combination of muscle relaxers and pain medication, but the vet has told us that inevitably he will need to have surgery and if he does not get it we may have to put him down due to the pain and quality of life. 
This little guy is only 4 years old! He has the potential for 8-10 more years of living. That is 8-10 years doing some of his favorite things such as: barking at squirrels, eating his favorite food (chicken), getting belly rubs, and snuggling up with my mom! 
The vet has told us that the cost of the surgery could range anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000. She suggested that it would be closer to the high zone simply due to the fact that he has three locations on his spine that have been affected. 
I hate asking for help, but we are also currently dealing with some significant cardiac health problems with my dad. Our family is truly heartbroken over this situation and it would mean the world to us if we were somehow able to help him get this surgery that he so desperately needs. 
If the total amount needed ends up being less that what was raised, leftover funds will be donated to help another dachshund in Ryder's situation.