Help Sweet Anne Run and Play Again

We received a plea from a shelter for Sweet Anne. She had been at the shelter since March, when she had been picked up as a stray, and her owners never were found. They thought she had been hit by a car. When she moved she was hunched over, and her hips seemed to cave inward. She was in pain. Yet in spite of that she was an amazingly loving, friendly, sweet girl. Thus she was named Sweet Anne!

The shelter had her on medications to ease her pain and had her seen by a veterinarian, but her care was way beyond their ability to handle. Sweet Anne needed our help, and we could not turn our backs on her.

About two weeks ago we gave Sweet Anne her freedom ride out of the shelter. She was fostered short-term by an amazing, wonderful family who instantly loved her. While with them, she saw a local vet to get medications to manage her pain, since she left the shelter with none.

She then moved to a foster closer to our veterinary partner. She was seen yesterday by him. He did a thorough exam, as well as repeating x-rays. He - and we - had suspected that her mobility issues were due to something other than a car accident, and we were correct!

Sweet Anne has problems with both knees slipping out whenever she moves or tries to walk - a condition called luxating patellas. She urgently needs surgery to correct the problem. It s the only treatment that will be effective and allow her to run and play and be a happy dog from here on in.

Sweet Anne is only about 1 year old - she's a baby! Even in pain, she is eager to move around and explore and she does that to the best of her ability, in spite of discomfort. She loves people. She loves other dogs. She is even happy to make friends with cats! She is an amazingly wonderful dog who deserves every good thing that life has to offer.

We've received a written estimate from the surgeon. Even with a generous rescue discount, the low estimate is $4,942.23 and the high estimate is $5,756.01 (see our update for the written estimate). That is a HUGE lift for our little rescue, and we need all of you to band together to help us help Sweet Anne. Whether you're able to donate $5 or $50 or more, it will make a huge difference. There is no donation too small - small donations add up! Of course, if you're able to donate larger amounts, we'll be so very grateful, too!

Sweet Anne needs us all now! Please join with us to give her the gift of good health. Help her to run and play and do all the things that dogs love. Together we can do this for Sweet Anne! We cannot fail her now!