Gunnar is our baby boy, a gentle, loving companion, and at just 2.5 years old, he should be running, playing, and enjoying life—not struggling to stand or walk. Recently, Gunnar suffered a serious knee injury and was diagnosed with torn ligaments and surrounding tissue. We took him to his veterinarian, who referred him to a specialist, where he received x-rays. A veterinary radiologist reached out to us after viewing his x-rays with awful news. He needs immediate knee surgery to relieve his pain and prevent permanent damage. This injury has also caused some mild hip dysplasia at such a young age. The news was shattering, and we both broke down. Without this surgery, Gunnar will continue to struggle with daily pain, limited mobility, and long-term complications. Watching him in pain and struggling to get himself up, not being able to jump on our bed, has been absolutely heartbreaking, and we want nothing more than to see him happy, goofy, active and healthy again. It’s so hard not to cry every time we look at him.

The cost of this emergency orthopedic surgery, along with post-operative care and rehabilitation, is more than we can manage on our own. Gunnar is insured, and we are trying to raise the 10% + $1,000 deductible we will have to cover. Just one leg is anywhere from $6,000 - $10,000. Every dollar raised will go directly toward Gunnar’s knee surgery, post-surgery care and medications, and rehabilitation and recovery support. Gunnar is our baby, our “1st born” who brings such joy and love to our lives on a daily basis. Plus he has been there for us through some of the hardest moments of our life, and now we are doing everything we can to be there for him. Your support—whether through a donation or by sharing this fundraiser—means the world to us and we are so grateful for this donation site. Thank you for helping give Gunnar the chance to run, play and act like a puppy again.