Help Sir Gawain Walk Again!

Sir Gawain has torn anterior cruciate ligaments in both of his back knees. This has been caused by rotating patellas, which slide from the tibia plateaus to the sides of the tibia. This has also caused bone spurs and arthritis. Sir Gawain is experiencing partial lameness with the potential for full lameness. What does all of this mean? Sir Gawain lives in constant pain because of a birth defect gone horribly wrong, and if he doesn't get surgery in both of his knees, he will never walk again. 

Who is Sir Gawain? A seven-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, Sir Gawain is (as all who know me know) the love of my life. A ball of energy (until recently), Sir Gawain thinks he is more human than canine (and I've never corrected him). He is my emotional support dog, as I suffer with major depressive disorder and anxiety, but he is so much more. He truly is my baby. 

Sir Gawain's decline has been rapid and unexpected. In January, he started showing signs of arthritis in his left knee. We put him on anti-inflammatory meds and pain meds. Due to severe complications, we had to stop the medications. We had just gotten him on a good anti-inflammatory when suddenly, last week (April 7, 2019), Sir Gawain's right knee started giving him problems. With no other back legs to support his weight, he stopped walking. In the time since April 7, Sir Gawain barely walks. Once a vibrant dog, now he cannot play. He cannot climb up and down stairs. And on his bad days, which are getting more regular, he cannot walk to his food and water bowls. Using the bathroom is getting to be more of a challenge. All I can do is read his cues and help him around, and it's breaking my heart.

The funds from this campaign will go to the vet, who needs the money upfront and does not have payment plans. The surgery for each knee (to be done a few weeks apart) is $3500. Between Isaiah, my husband, and I, one of us has been out of work since August 2018. We are in heavy debt (we both were in grad school not too long ago!) and cannot afford the cost of the surgeries. The surgeries will not be possible without your help.

Please, if you can, donate to this cause so my baby, the light of my life, my emotional support, my "Ol' Man G" can get the surgeries he needs. I live my life in chronic pain and chronic illness. I don't want that for my precious puppy, one who has been everything for me and cannot tell me how much he is suffering except through his beautiful brown eyes, which look sadder every day.

Isaiah and I (but me especially!) would be so grateful if you took the time and money to donate to our campaign. Sir Gawain is a member of the family. He gives us life. He gives us love. He is my baby.