Hips Sold Separately, Some Assembly Required

Many of you have met our gentle giant, Caspian. We had hoped our pandemic puppy would help us get outside and meeting people after moving to Portland. Since we got him,  he has been sweet and social and gone after life wholeheartedly, but he would end every playdate or walk agitated and clearly in pain.

At 5 months, our little Caspian collapsed while playing with a friend, cried all night and was diagnosed severe hip dysplasia the next morning. Hip dysplasia essentially means his little hips never sat fully in his hip sockets, and basic mobility would become more risky and more painful as he grew. One surgeon told us that any playdates and puppy business in his short life has been done "with nothing but muscle and determination keeping his legs attached."

When we first learned about his condition and made the decision to keep him, we budgeted and saved for the surgery typically performed on puppies, hoping it would give him a chance for his hips to grow more naturally and enjoy life fully. After multiple consultations with surgeons, we were devastated to learn that his condition was already too severe for the puppy surgery. At 7 months, his only chance for continued mobility would be bilateral hip replacement. We scheduled and have saved for replacement of his right hip, but we know his left will also need replacement as well.

Total hip replacement is much more expensive than we had planned for, especially in the same year his humans were also navigating their own unexpected health costs. If we decided to surrender him, we knew and local shelters couldn't do much to help a young dog with nearly $20,000 in upfront surgery costs.

Left untreated, dogs with this severe of hip dysplasia typically wear down the nerve endings and bones in their hips.  This leads to chronic pain, lameness and short life expectancy. In short, without this surgery, his walking days would soon be over.

Since Caspian's breed lives for more than ten years, investing in new hips will give him (and Chase and Lydia) a decade to enjoy visits with the amazing people and dogs he has introduced us to, help his mama feel safe on walks after some traumatic experiences, and open up the adventures like running on a beach or hiking in Forest Park that we have always wanted to be able to experience as a family.

In our 8 months with him, Caspian has introduced us to new friends, brightened our every day, and inspired us with his determination despite constant pain. He is also teaching us how to ask for help. We've been humbled by those of you who have offered to help us with this surgery, and truly appreciate your investment in our sweet buddy's future.