IVDD Surgery for Bugs

I first met Bugs in the summer of 2020. He was a rescue dog who was found as a stray in central California. He’d been abused and had his ears cut. In the shelter, he refused to eat. They had given up on him. He was on the euthanasia list. Then, a wonderful rescue operation found out about him. With the help of an incredible trainer and amazing foster mom, Bugsy began to thrive.

From the moment I saw his picture, I knew I had to have him. Because of his past, he was a reactive puppy, so the first time we met I couldn’t even touch him, just to be safe. One negative experience could ruin our chances. I wasn’t sure if it would work.

The next time I saw him, his foster mom brought him over to my house. I walked him on the leash a bit. Then, out of nowhere, he jumped up onto my couch, laid across my lap, and promptly went to sleep. I adopted him that night. When it was time to go to bed, I set up a nice place for him to lay on the floor with blankets and everything. He said “nah” and jumped into bed with me. He’s slept with me in bed ever since.

He has been the most wonderful, amazing thing that happened to me. I know some people might laugh, but he truly is my best friend. It hasn’t always been easy - his hard life before his rescue left him with some behavioral scars that have taken hard work and lots of love to heal. But he’s been so, so worth it.

On 12/22/24, I woke up to him not being able to stand up on his back feet. I took him to the vet and they told me he likely had IVDD. Since he could still move his legs, they thought medical management might work. Then on 12/26, he regressed. Now surgery is necessary.

This was completely unexpected, and I was not prepared to have to pay for a $15,000 surgery this year. It’s the hardest thing I have to do to ask people for donations - but for him, I’d do anything. Any bit you can spare would be greatly appreciated. I love this dog more than life itself, and just want him to be able to keep living his best life.

Thank you for taking the time to read.

Meredith & Bugsy

*PLEASE NOTE: total goal is $15,000 but they set it at $4,000 originally and I guess they increase it as donations come in. I WILL NOT BE INCREASING THE LIMIT I ORIGINALLY SET. GoFundMe does its own thing and I’ve never used it before.