Mana Hippopotamus Underfoot is my 6.5-year-old Bully mix, adopted from a shelter in Austin, TX. She’s more than just a dog—she’s a diva, a sunbather, a bone collector, a squeaky toy enthusiast, and a loyal protector of our home. Her personality fills every room she’s in, and she’s been my constant companion. She’s been “underfoot” since I came out of rehab for drug and alcohol addiction 5.5 years ago. She is the one by my side day in and out throughout all the days, good and bad.

On July 8th, I took Mana to her usual grooming salon for a bath and nail trim—something she normally enjoys. What I didn’t know was that her regular groomer was on vacation, and temporary staff were filling in. That day, they failed to dry Mana off and left the tile floor wet. Surveillance footage shows Mana slipping hard while three employees stood by. No one told me what happened when I picked her up.

When we got home, Mana was limping badly and wouldn’t leave her bed. The next day, X-rays revealed the devastating news: she had torn the ACL in both of her back legs. The only way to restore her mobility and relieve her pain is surgery—estimated at over $8,000, followed by 6–8 weeks of recovery.

The alternative? A lifetime of pain medications, anti-inflammatories, constant bloodwork to monitor organ damage, and limited mobility. That’s not a life I want for her.

Despite having insurance that could cover this, the grooming salon owner refuses to take responsibility. She won’t speak to me directly and has used her manager as a go-between. She even contacted the animal hospital and was so verbally abusive to their staff that they’ve barred her from speaking to anyone but the hospital director.

Mana has been suffering for over a month while the salon owner avoids accountability. It’s heartbreaking to see her in pain while the person responsible plays games. You’d expect compassion from someone who works with animals—but instead, we’ve been met with silence and hostility.

I’m asking for help to give Mana the surgery she needs to walk again. Every donation, every share, every bit of support means the world to us. Mana didn’t deserve this—and I won’t stop fighting for her.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for caring.