I have been taking further advice and looking at all the options and am hoping to find a more cost effective solution and one that is a less traumatic treatment for Bruce This should mean lower up front expense though it will entail a much longer term, possibly life time treatment. As a result I would ask that any further donations, if any, be limited to no more than £25.00. I now of the opinion that surgical intervention at over £3,000 is both unnecessary and potentially dangerous for Bruce.

Hi, my name is Jan and the little pup you see in the photo above is Bruce. We are both a bit older than when that photo was taken, I am now 74 and Bruce is 15. Bruce is a Jack Russel/ Corgi cross, he has been my constant companion all his life. He is friendly and affectionate to everyone that he meets whether human or other dogs.

We are both still very fit and love to walk the moors of South West England and can cover at least 10 miles in a day.

Last week Bruce started to limp and is unable to put weight on his left back leg and the vet tells me that he has a damaged Cruciate Ligament that requires urgent surgery. However, the good news is that the surgery has a high success rate and that full recovery should take about 3 months. Unfortunately at £3500 the cost of this operation is beyond what I have in savings and as a pensioner I have little flexibility in income. I have also been told that the sooner the operation is performed the better, as arthritis can quickly affect an under used joint and a successful recovery much less likely if surgery is delayed for more that a few weeks.

Bruce and I potentially still have some good years to come if I can get him fit again so I am here to appeal for help to pay for the surgery that he needs now.

I know that £3500 seems an awful lot for surgery, it certainly seemed so to me when the vet told me yesterday. Here is a breakdown of the costs as quoted:

Initial XRays of knees and hips £450.00

The operation itself £2850.00

Aftercare £200.00

Of course, as this is from a veterinary practice, these are always only estimates costs, but hopefully they are fairly accurate.

I am delighted to say that as of now, 15:46 on Tuesday 29th July, you wonderful people have already raised £625.00. Thank you.