Noah, my 7-year-old Border Collie mix, tore his cruciate ligament in his left rear leg. I lost my job due to outsourcing, and being in my 60s, it's tough to get hired. I've gone on Social Security and am working part-time, trying to make ends meet.

My vet has referred us to a veterinary hospital that performs this type of surgery, but it is very expensive, $5200 to $6000. I am looking for less expensive places. IUpdate: found a less expensive place about $4100 Noah is such a sweet, loving boy and means the world to us. We rescued him from a shelter 6 years ago and want to do the best for him.