We’re reaching out with full hearts to ask for help for Jane and Donna Jean, and their beloved dog, Lady Ivy (“Ivy”).

Ivy is more than a pet — she’s family. The three of us are a small household together - we have been each other's support for over 4 1/2 years. Ivy has been the lynch pin in this little 'family' since December 2020. Donna Jean and I are roommates and best friends, but we act more like sisters. Over the years, Ivy has been a constant source of comfort, love, and companionship through difficult times, and she means the world to us. In this little family, I am Ivy’s 'mom', and Donna Jean is Ivy’s 'nanna' — to Ivy, she’s simply “Nanna Donna Jean.”

Ivy is believed to be 5 years old, and is likely a mix of Labrador Retriever and Australian Shepherd. She has always been a happy, bouncy, energetic dog — the kind that brings joy just by being in the room. But recently, everything changed.

Ivy suffered a ruptured CCL (cranial cruciate ligament) in her left leg, and it has completely affected her quality of life. She has lost so much mobility, can’t go upstairs, and she can't go for long walks or play in Donna Jean's beautiful backyard. The hardest part is that Ivy doesn’t understand why she can’t do the things she used to do — and watching that has been absolutely heartbreaking for her family. When one of us goes up the stairs Ivy can no longer climb, she lies at the bottom, head resting on the first riser - as you can see in the pictures.

After initial X-rays and diagnostics (which alone cost $800), our veterinarian said Ivy needs TTA cruciate repair surgery, which is to be scheduled for April. The total cost of her surgery is estimated to be around $5,600. This estimate includes required X-rays, surgical packs, anesthesia, antibiotics, pre- and post-operative care, etc. and follow-up treatments including laser therapy. In addition, Ivy will need rehabilitation care. The rehab is estimated to cost an additional $2,500 or more. This brings the expected total cost of all treatment to $8,900. As the date draws closer, we will get a more accurate estimate on the costs of the surgery & follow up treatments and I will post that information here.

Who we are:

Jane dedicated her life to helping others, but after developing Multiple Sclerosis, she was forced to leave her profession and has been living on disability income for many years. She has been without a stable, regular salary for over 10 years, but has always made care for Ivy her priority.

Donna Jean, a retired professional originally from Manitoba, is also on disability due to a near-fatal automobile accident that took her left arm, about 18 years ago. Donna Jean loves all animals, especially dogs, and she spent many years, post retirement, volunteering as a pet-loss grief counsellor. Often referring to herself as "more doggy than human," she would do anything for Ivy.

Sadly, because we are both on fixed incomes, we simply cannot afford this life-changing surgery for Ivy on our own. This happy girl truly is the cornerstone of our 'family'. She’s sweet, nurturing, loving, and kind — with a huge hint of “loving bossiness”, as Nanna Donna Jean says. She's been our companion, our emotional support dog, and our light through some very dark times. We would do anything for Ivy — and now we’re facing a situation where love simply isn’t enough - without some help.

If you’re able to donate, share, or leave a supportive message, it would mean everything to us. Even if you can’t donate right now, sharing this fundraiser and keeping Ivy in your prayers helps more than you know.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping give Ivy the chance to get back to the full life she deserves.

Jane, Donna Jean & Ivy