Maverick is our 6-year-old Doberman. He’s a happy, sweet boy who loves his rubber ball, relaxing in the kiddie pool on a hot summer day, playing with his Dobie brother Koda, and cuddling with his humans sisters.

On Wednesday, November 19, he suddenly developed neck pain that has rapidly progressed to the point he cannot walk. This is most likely Wobbler’s disease or a similar condition resulting in painful compression of the cervical spinal cord. His best chance for return to a pain-free life is surgery at NC State Veterinary Hospital.

Maverick’s older “brother,” Koda, is in the end stages of dilated cardiomyopathy and soon will have to leave us for the Rainbow Bridge. It would be beyond devastating for us to lose both our Dobie boys at the same time, but without surgery, Maverick may permanently lose the ability to walk or even stand without excruciating pain.

While I am a veterinarian myself, I do not work with small animals and cannot perform the procedure, which will require a neurology specialist, but I am sending home all the money I can. My youngest sister is making Christmas ornaments to sell to help cover costs. While the upper end of the estimate is $9,000, anything you can give would be more than appreciated!