Help Me Heal the Dog Who Helped Heal Me; Ollie Needs Surgery to Walk Pain Free

Hi everyone,

I never imagined I would be here asking for help, but life has a way of bringing unexpected challenges. Right now, my sweet boy Ollie needs me more than ever.

Ollie isn’t just my dog, he’s my constant, my protector and my best friend. My 102lb mastiff love bug. He has been by my side through some of the hardest chapters of my life. When everything felt uncertain, he kept me grounded. Ollie's unconditional love was the only thing keeping me going when I felt like I had very little else left.

Over the last two months, I noticed small changes in how he was walking and truly believed it was a minor strain that would heal with rest and care. He was not showing any visible pain or change in anything really. I had no idea that knee ligament injuries in dogs are common and often require major surgery. If I had known this was even a possibility, I would have chosen a different insurance plan or prepared financially so Ollie could have had surgery immediately without hesitation. But, now it's considered a pre existing conditon, even though I was bringing him in for a new "condition"

After finally getting him fully evaluated by a specialist today Feb 19th, I learned that Ollie has a serious ligament injury in his knee and will need a TTA (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement) surgery performed by Dr. Jane Kosovsky at upper west vet. Because of his size and the complexity of the procedure, he will need to stay in the hospital for two nights for careful monitoring, pain management, and safe recovery from anesthesia.

This surgery is 100% necessary to stabilize his knee so he can walk comfortably again and avoid chronic pain and worsening arthritis for his future. The total estimated cost for the surgery, implants, anesthesia, hospitalization, and follow up care is between $8,000–$10,000.

Ollie is only five years old, and the specialist explained that this type of injury is often hereditary, especially in larger dogs who are normally healthy young and active. I did everything I could to keep him healthy and active, never knowing something like this could happen so young. I even cook his food and walk 3 hours a day so he can live a long and healthy life.

On a deeply personal note, Ollie came into my life after I lost my sister on May 3, 2017.

When I rescued him from muddy paws in June 2021, unknowingly, his "guesstimated" birthday on his intake paperwork was also May 3, 2020 something that felt like a sign and a gift from her during one of the hardest times in my life.

Since March of 2023, after experiencing a traumatic chapter that completely flipped my life upside down in literally weeks, I’ve had to rebuild everything from the ground up, my business, my mental health, and my future all on my own. It was the lowest I ever was in my life. Through all of it, Ollie has been my constant source of love, comfort, and strength. On the hardest days, he was the reason I got out of bed and kept going.

As someone who works in an industry where income can fluctuate and large expenses require planning, this has been especially overwhelming. I am a planner and a solutions oriented person by nature, and I always prepare carefully for major financial decisions. This surgery, however, was sudden and not something I could have reasonably anticipated while rebuilding my life from the ground up.

I was able to cover the emergency diagnostics, but the surgery itself is far beyond what I can manage alone right now.

Every dollar raised will go directly toward Ollie’s surgery, hospitalization, medications, follow up appointments, rehabilitation care, and the time I will need to take off work to be home and care for him during recovery. I will be sharing updates throughout his healing journey so you can see how your support is helping him.

Ollie helped heal me in ways I can’t fully put into words. Now it’s my turn to do everything I can to heal him.

If you’re able to donate, a small amount , it would mean the world to us. And if you can’t donate, sharing this fundraiser is just as powerful and deeply appreciated.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading our story and for supporting us during this unexpected chapter.

With love and gratitude,

Crystal & Ollie