“He’s just an André.”

That’s what we tell people when they ask what breed he is.

Found in a cardboard box as a puppy alongside his sister, André has spent the last 7 years proving that he is one-of-a-kind. He is a fluffy, chilled-out soul who has been the constant in our lives through the birth of our two children and the antics of our bossy cat, Shady.

If there is one thing André lives for, it’s his family. He is at his happiest when he’s chasing balloons at a kids birthday party or running round like mad when someone has the hose on in the garden. But today, he's not what he once was.

A Sudden Turn for the Worse

We thought we were over the worst of it. After a diagnosis of hip dysplasia, André was doing amazingly on medication. He was his old self again. Then, overnight, everything changed. A new, severe limp appeared. A trip to the vet confirmed our fears: André has torn a ligament in his knee.

André needs a complex surgery called TPLO. This involves cutting and rotating the bone so that the ligament is no longer required. It is a major procedure with a long, confined recovery, but it is his best shot at a pain-free life.

The Financial Hurdle

We have always kept André insured, but life has a way of throwing everything at you at once. Between his recent hip diagnosis and the high cost of specialist surgery, we have exhausted our insurance limit. The surgery costs more than what our insurance will cover.

To ensure he didn't spend another day in pain, André was admitted for surgery today. I am paying the balance on a credit card to get him home, but as a family, we are now facing a significant financial mountain.

Why This Matters to Me

In May of last year, I went through a long, frightening recovery from complex pneumonia and fluid around my heart. During those dark days when I couldn't move, André was there for me.

I have to be there for him now.

Our Goal

We want to see André back to his best. I look forward to the day when he can once again run up the stairs, run around like mad for balloons and the hose, and have at least somewhat of a chance of getting back at the cat (even though we know he'll never be able to catch up to her).

Any contribution, no matter how small, will go directly toward the cost of his TPLO surgery and his post-operative rehabilitation. If you can’t donate, sharing his story would mean the world to us.

Thank you for helping us bring André back to the dog he used to be.