We brought Kyra home from a rescue in 2013 and she was immediately a part of our family.

Since then she's been a faithful companion at home and on the road.

She was Leigh's emotional anchor in the troubles of our first pregnancy, never letting Leigh out of her sight and for the past six years has continued to watched over our boys as though they were her own pups.

Several weeks ago while she was out in the yard for her morning routine, something happened. She yelped and was limping when she got to the door. A few hours later the vet reported the xrays showed she had torn her left cruciate ligament.

Even down a leg, as our second pregnancy comes to it's end she refuses to leave my wife's side and still plays momma dog to our unborn daughter.

We were quoted ~$3000 for the surgery to repair her leg. We shopped around, asking friends for trusted veterinarians. Of those who performed this type of surgery the costs were very similar. The only quote that had a lower cost would have to be scheduled months out. The risk of her damaging her other hind leg was too significant to take that delay, so we stuck with our originally booked appointment at our local vet who has cared for her since we brought her home.

A few days ago she had the surgery to repair her leg. Everything went well and the first few days of her recovery seem to be going well. Pain medication has kept her in good spirits, albeit a bit drowsy.

Unfortunately, this surgery was a very unexpected expense that is exceptionally poorly timed. We are a week away from the birth of our daughter and the costs of diagnostics and surgery have eaten significantly in to the savings we have set aside to handle all the "new baby" expenses.

Kyra is as much a part of our family as any of our children - there was never any doubt that she'd receive the treatment she needed. The costs of PT and aftercare will come down the pipe as well, but should be manageable.

I was not comfortable asking for help until we knew what this would cost us. Now that we have the receipts, we are asking for help in covering the costs of her treatment so far to help ensure we have the financial resources available if there are any unforeseen complications with the birth of our daughter.