Hi everyone,

We're reaching out to ask for your support in the recovery of our sweet girl.

Our 9-year-old Aussie Doodle, Poutine, recently injured her CCL (similar to ACL in humans) and meniscus while doing what she loves most, running full tilt through an off-leash park, chasing after a deer. She came back limping, and after consulting with the vet, we’ve learned she’ll need TPLO, or Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy surgery to repair both her CCL and meniscus in her back right leg.

Anyone who has met Poutine knows that she has the energy of a puppy even though she's 9 years old already. Running and playing are truly part of who she is. It's her spirit, and her identity. Seeing her unable to move like she used to has been heartbreaking. We’re doing everything we can to make sure she recovers, and lives another 9 years with a high quality of life.

We wouldn’t normally ask for support like this. My partner and I both work in the disability sector and are grateful to have stable jobs. But this comes on the heels of a $4,000 emergency stomach surgery she had just a few months ago, and this next surgery (plus the rehab afterward) is going to blow through the savings we’ve built.

The cost for the upcoming ACL/meniscus surgery is expected to be $5,100, not including follow-up care and physiotherapy. We’re hoping to raise money to help ease the burden.

If you’re in a position to chip in, even just a few dollars, we’d be incredibly grateful. And if not, sharing this with others who love dogs or might be willing to help means the world to us too.

Thank you so much for reading and for caring. Your support, in any form, means more than we can say.

With gratitude,

Mike, April, and Poutine (who can’t wait to run again)