I started fostering Waffles when he was just three months old, after he was abandoned in the parking lot of Cincinnati Animal Care. It was clear from the beginning that Waffles had experienced abuse early in his life, and since then, I have been working hard to help him rebuild his trust in people. Despite his rough start, Waffles is a sweet and loving puppy who deserves a chance at a happy, pain-free life.

Shortly after bringing Waffles home, I noticed that he would limp on one of his front legs after exercising. When nothing showed up on his initial x-ray, we were referred to an orthopedic surgeon for further evaluation. Over the next month, as we waited for a CT scan appointment, Waffles began to show stiffness and limping in his back legs as well. Multiple trips to the ER to see different specialists, including neurologists, an MRI of his spine and hips, and CT scans of his front legs finally led to a diagnosis: Waffles has elbow dysplasia with bone fragments that have disconnected from his elbow, causing him severe pain. The doctors also found fluid around his hip joints, the cause of which is still unknown. The process of getting answers for Waffles has required extensive diagnostics, and he is scheduled for surgery on his elbow in December.

I have had to open new credit cards to cover the cost of Waffles' diagnostic tests, and the upcoming surgery and ongoing care will be a significant financial challenge. As someone who has only been out of college for a little over a year, I am doing my best to provide for Waffles, but I simply don’t have the savings for unexpected expenses like this. Any help would mean the world to both of us, and I am so grateful for your support in giving Waffles the chance to live a healthy, happy life.