Knee Surgery for Hendrix the Mastiff

Dear friends, family, and anyone who has ever felt the unconditional love of a dog,

I am starting this GoFundMe to raise funds for an expensive CCL repair surgery for my dog Hendrix, although most people call him by his nickname "Henny".

Hendrix is a mastiff mix rescue from the Westland Michigan Humane Society. I adopted him seven years ago. Hendrix simply had a misstep in the yard and let out a heart-wrenching yelp. I quickly took him to the vet. After some X-rays the vet gave me the news that would make any pet owner get that sick-to-their-stomach feeling. Hendrix had ruptured his CCL, which is a ligament in his knee. This ligament in humans is known as the ACL. The CCL stabilizes the entire knee joint. When it ruptures, the knee becomes unstable. A CCL rupture causes the dog to put pressure on the other knee in order to walk or move around. This is one reason why in 60% of cases, a CCL tear in dogs will later lead to an injury of the other knee. Hearing this only filled me with more dread, imagining the expense of one surgery alone was overwhelming, to think of having to double that cost, or to imagine Hendrix having to suffer through this pain all over again, was unfathomable.

Some dogs, if they are young and small enough, are able to try alternative methods to recover from a CCL tear. However, because of his size, weight, breed, and age, Hendrix needs surgery as soon as possible. I am devastated and shaken and overwhelmed. As if it isn't already hard enough to see my big lovable oaf in pain, the cost of his surgery is a shattering blow.

My favorite thing about Hendrix is he seems to leave a lasting impression on anyone who crosses his path. He has a head as big as a bowling ball, with big droopy jowls and neck rolls for days, and he seemingly leaves a trail of slobber wherever he goes. He has effortlessly converted countless people who exclaim "I am not a dog person", by hopping up on the couch, getting as close as possible, and putting his arm behind their back. All to more easily smooch them when they aren't looking.

I asked some of my closest friends to tell me what comes to mind FIRST when they think of Hendrix, here are some of their answers:

Henny is a HUGE ball of slobbery LOVE. -ENR

Coming from someone who isn't a huge dog person, Henny knows how to win you over and make you smile from ear to ear -MEH

Henny is the biggest ball of slobbery love I have ever met and his owner cares about him more than herself by a landslide. She has done such an amazing job of raising Henny essentially by herself, and everyone who meets him falls in love with him immediately. He is such a happy and goofy boy and we hope to see him make a full recovery as soon as possible so he can continue frolicking through the woods and playing with his dog friends.12/10 very good boy <3 - MKM

The cutest sweet baby of all time. Landed to Earth directly from the great Gods them self. It doesn't get much better than this little ball of fluff. Big paws, bigger heart. Give this sweetie pie a little kiss. -BNM

Hendrix recently got out of the backyard while I was out of the country. My mom spent hours searching for him to no avail, and ultimately a Livonia police officer on duty found him, and after meeting my mom, would tell her the whole story. Of course, Hendrix hopped into the back of his car happily the moment he opened his door. He smiled from floppy ear to floppy ear as his excited panting left puddles on the back seat and slobber smears on the Plexiglas divider. The officer even said that when he dropped him off at the Humane Society, he wanted to give them his name so that if in the event that no one claimed him, he could adopt Hendrix. That's what Hendrix does. Spend more than five minutes with him and you'll fall in love. Hendrix needs more love now than ever. This situation is a burden I would not wish on anyone. I would be honored to receive any donation, no matter how little. Any contribution not only helps aid in the expense of the surgery, but it also will warm my heart to know that someone cared enough to take the time to read Hendrix's story, and hopefully felt a little sliver of how Hendrix makes me feel every day.