Einstein Needs Surgery

Hi, We are Valerie Barnhart and Nick Folkins and we're in desperate need of help to cover the veterinary costs for Einstein's surgery ($5,000). Einstein is a happy-go-lucky easy going sweetie-pie. He's super smart and pretty mischievous. Two days ago he completely ruptured his Cranial Cruciate Ligament (ACL) playing at the dog park. Ligaments attach bones to bone. With a complete rupture, there is nothing holding his knee together. He can't use his hind left leg with this type of injury and is in incredible amounts of pain. He can't go up and down stairs- which complicates things, as we live in a three floor walk-up. We are already in the process of house hunting and planning a move to a new home without stairs. In the meantime our 89 lb (40.2kg) dog is immobilized and is sedated from the pain medication. The vet told us that he needs this surgery because he is a large dog and dogs his size have poorer outcomes from recovering from such injuries without surgery.

Time is of the essence. Einstein's surgery needs to happen within the month before significant muscular degradation and the creation of Osteophytes occur resulting in more joint degeneration. If Einstein doesn't get this surgery he will be in incredible pain and significantly disabled for the rest of his life. He needs this surgery within the month.

Einstein has been my best friend for the past 10 years. I have CPTSD and he helps manage me when I deal with symptoms. He has helped me through the darkest times in my life and I would like to do the same for him when faced with disability.

Our family thanks you for taking the time to read this. And thank you for your help.