Hello friends and family!

My name is David Munteanu, and many of you know me more for my goofy dog, Waffle. Waffle is my black lab - basset hound mix, and he loves two things: 1) to hang out, and 2) to have a good time. He greets people by bowing and going "aaawooooo". He is somehow friends with everyone (I thought *I* was the extrovert in the family!), and people love him for his antics and his funhouse-mirror body.

Waffle's long body evidently carries some risks! That long body makes him predisposed to spine issues. On March 12th, I came home to Waffle paralyzed from the waist down. Quite a switch up, he was walking and running a couple hours prior. We brought him to the emergency vet, where he was diagnosed with a herniated disc between the L2 and L3 vertebrae. He needed emergency spine surgery, or otherwise risk not being able to walk ever again.

Surgery was the next day, and it was successful! Herniated tissue cleared out, and 93% chance he will walk again. He’s at the vets for a couple more days, but after I take him home, he is on bed rest for four weeks. Hopefully at some point in that time period, he gets his motor skills again.

And holy cow, this event has been costly! The veterinarian indicated the total cost would be between $6500 and $9000, and given Waffle's size, anesthesia alone would bump him up to the $9k end.

And gang... I need help, honestly. I truly believe the most important help is the thoughts and well wishes. A lot of you have your own connection to this magical mongrel, and he would be so happy to know you are thinking of him as he recovers. After the recovery, he would love to see you all.

This surgery is more expensive than all the money to my name. If anyone is willing and able to help financially, this would be appreciated on a level I cannot fully articulate. Waffle would love you forever. I would also love you forever.

If you cannot donate, this is totally understandable, and Waffle and I will love you all the same. Please just keep him in your thoughts. I suppose keep me in your thoughts too, haha. It's been a bit rough.

Thank you all for your time. Much love to you all. Updates for Waffle will be posted here, if folks want to stay tuned!