Help Leia Run Again: Surgery for CCLD

It is with a heavy heart that I reach out and ask for help for my dog Leia. Leia has been diagnosed with CCLD and requires surgery. Leia has been my rock for 6 years. At my lowest point in life so far, I stumbled upon a box of puppies for sale in a trunk at a Walmart parking lot. I would say I handpicked her, but really she is the one that chose me. Leia was instantly my best friend, we’ve done everything together from ice cream trips to hikes and camping or just riding around in the car. No matter the occasion, right by my side is her favorite place to be. She has helped me through so much heartbreak and loss. At the time when I got her I was very depressed and suicidal, she was my light and reasons why. Everyday I couldn’t wait to wake up and feed her and play fetch with her outside. When my Lela (grandma) passed away Leia was my shoulder to cry on at night, She pulled me up from the deepest, darkest places in my mind. Leia has grown with me as I have grown with her, we moved into our first home together, she laid on my pregnant belly as my little kicked away without a care in the world and never getting off my belly. She’s been the sweetest friend to my daughter and just overall an amazing dog. She’s loyal, protective, silly and loving and most of all like a second daughter to me. So if you’ve stuck around this far , now it is my time to be there for her , be her light in the dark , and her shoulder to cry on. Leia has been diagnosed with a ruptured ligament in her right back leg. Also known as CCLD (canine cruciate ligament disease) Surgery is the only “cure” for this condition since it has already completely ruptured. Pain can be managed with meds and a brace, however she will not be able to run, play , swim or bear weight on that leg. Due to her genetic makeup and breed if she continues to bear all of her weight on her left leg it is highly likely to happen to the left leg as well. Needless to say without surgery Leia cannot have her best dog life. She will be in need of constant meds and a sedentary lifestyle and for those who personally know Leia , know that is not who she is. My hope is to at least raise a little bit of money to put toward her surgery but also to raise awareness about CCLD. It is a common condition in dogs, specifically LABS. Though it isn’t deadly, it’s a debilitating disease that is a cause for a low quality of life. Any help is much appreciated and means the world and more. Thank you for hearing our story.