Pearl needs your help and support.

Let me introduce you to Pearl Hart, Outlaw woman. Pearl is a 1-year old LGD (livestock guardian dog). She takes her job of protecting her farm animal friends very seriously. Pearl and Clyde are always on alert for predators and possible dangers on the farm. 

Sadly, in November 2019, Pearl didn’t show up for breakfast one morning. We searched for her to no avail.  Fortunately, she found her way home after being gone for four days. She had suffered  a broken femur to her right rear leg. The poor thing had made the journey back to her responsibilities on the farm with a very painful broken leg.

 I took her to the vet to find out what the damage was. After sedation and x-rays,  the broken femur was discovered. Unfortunately, surgery was the necessary procedure required to fix my Pearl. The surgery was performed and after a few days in the hospital, she returned home to begin her recovery.  Three days later, the rod that was inserted into her leg had backed out and was protruding through her hip. Back to the veterinary we go to see what can be done. After more x-rays,  it was determined that the break was still in proper alignment so once again she was left to endure another grueling but necessary surgery. This time, it was decided that poor Pearl would spend the first few weeks of her recovery at the hospital to ensure she could be watched closely by the staff and not be excited or stressed by activity on the farm.

Fast forward 6 weeks and once again Pearl returns home to the farm and animals she loves dearly with all her heart. She is still on pain meds and antibiotics.  She gets around okay, rarely putting weight on her leg. After a few days it becomes evident to me that she doesn't use the leg at all, and it dangles there. I am so afraid that she is in severe pain that I consider putting her down to stop the suffering.  However,  her tail is always wagging, and she seems to always be happy.  

Not being very satisfied with the veterinarian that performed the initial surgery,  I took Pearl to one of the best vets around even though he was in Tennessee. I wanted a second opinion that I could have confidence in. After a few more very expensive x-rays,  it was determined that she couldn’t use the leg that cost over $3000 dollars to repair.  Unfortunately,  in the healing process,  the muscles attached themselves to the bone during the regrowth process.

After the veterinarian consulted with experts in the field,  I was told there are currently no surgical procedures available to save Pearl's leg. Now my options are to have her put down,  which I do not want to do, or come up with another couple of thousand dollars to have her leg amputated. This sweet girl just turned 1 a few days ago and is always so happy, she deserves a chance to live her life.

This leads me here to GoFundMe as I am still paying on the $3,041.00 vet bill for the broken leg surgery that I was originally given an estimate of a little over $1400. Now, in order to haver Pearl's leg amputated and save her, I need to raise nearly $2000 more dollars (the estimate I was given for the amputation is $1735.38). I have always done my best to take care of my own and not ask for help, but it is time to swallow my pride and ask for help. I need YOUR help to save Pearl. Please help if you can and please share for Pearl's sake. She is one of the sweetest and most caring dogs ever.

Thank you for all your help, thoughts and prayers.