Hi, many of you know me, and some may not. I am Ethel. I am a 77lb. 4-year-old black Labrador Retriever. My dad's name is Greg. Some may know him by Jonesy, Toby or Coach. My dad had a yellow lab named Lucy for 14 years. She went to heaven about 11 years ago. Lucy helped my dad through his parent's death and his divorce. Then 7 years later, I came along. Dad did not want me at first. Sister Johnellen, his boss, basically told him he was taking me. Dad is grateful Sister Johnellen pressured him into taking me. There the beginning of our journey started. Dad and I are inseparable. We go everywhere together. I am a working dog. I go to school daily at St. Catherine's Academy. I have free reign of the campus. My job is to play, make people happy and get as many treats as possible daily. I also protect the school. Just ask anyone that comes on campus and is not a part of my pack. My pack is all the staff and boys. I know who belongs on campus and who does not. I love everyone I meet, and they all seem to love me back. People tell me that I have helped them through the last 2 years of Covid. My dad tells me daily that I keep him sane.

I work and play about 12 to 15 hours a day 4 days a week. I am constantly on the move. However, 2 weeks ago, I woke up and couldn't walk on my front left leg. The first 24 hours were terrible until I finally got pain medication. My dad has taken me to 3 different consultations with 3 different doctors. We learned that I have Elbow Dysplasia on my front left leg. The doctors say it is really bad, especially for only 4 years old. Elbow Dysplasia is genetic. I was born with it. Plus, all my hard playing with my sister Bailey, working around school, and getting in and out of dad's Yukon has not helped my elbow over time. All 3 doctors agree that AVSG is the best place to have my surgery. Dr. Diane Craig will hopefully be doing the surgery. My new regular doctor, Dr. Bill Grant, and my old doctor, Dr. Kim, agree that Dr. Craig is the best. She is a specialized surgeon. Dr. Craig will remove bone spurs and repair a tendon and try to get me back to good health. She will do this through arthroscopic surgery, which is less invasive than cutting me open. The recovery will take about 2 weeks. I will never be able to do the things I used to do. My hard play will be cut dramatically. My doctors all say swimming is the best thing for me. I love to swim. My dad said he would take me at least once a week to swim. I need this surgery in the next 2 months. I cannot continue on pain medication for a long time. I know I will have to live with some discomfort daily. Hopefully, it won't be as bad after the surgery as it is now.

The surgery will cost approximately $7,000.00. Dad has already spent $1,200.00 in the last 2 weeks. Dad asked me to set up this Go Fund me page because it is hard for him to accept help from others, especially financially. Dad and I know that there will be more medical bills down the line like doctor's visits, medication and other things. Hopefully, I won't have to have this surgery done again. Dad and I do not expect all our friends to help us out financially for the rest of my life. It was hard for Dad and me to reach out for help financially. We understand that inflation is impacting everyone. I know Dad has gotten upset over inflation over the last year. I hear him yelling bad names at the gas pump when he is pumping gas in the Yukon. It isn't good when he finishes his grocery shopping, and he's putting the groceries in the back where I am. He says some naughty words about how much groceries cost. I ask God to forgive him for the words he uses. Thus, if you can help Dad and me out, that would be great. If not, we understand, and prayers are free. We take those anytime.

Sincerely,

Ethel

Ethel's Dad too......