Please Help Save Emmy's Leg!

Emmy was found as a stray in a neighboring community. One of my contacts from my rescue days asked me if I knew a rescue who would take her. She clearly had injuries (she is unable to use one of her legs and has some healed scars) and they would not be able to catch her and give her care without having somewhere for her to go. Even though my house is full to the max, I immediately said I would her up and foster her if they were willing to get her care.

That's how I met the loveliest little princess puppy we now know as Emmy. She is estimated to be about 8 months old and is likely a doberman/shepherd mix. Despite having likely been on the streets for more than half her life, she is the absolute epitome of love. All Emmy wants to do is nuzzle you and give kisses.

Today, we were able to get Emmy to the vet. She is negative for all common tick-borne diseases and heartworm. The news on her leg, on the other hand, is not as pleasant.

Her leg is not attached to her body right now and she has pain coming from bone rubbing on bone.

An FHO, or femoral head ostectomy, is a surgical procedure that aims to restore pain-free mobility to a diseased or damaged hip, by removing the head and neck of the femur (the long leg bone or thighbone).

Essentially, they remove the bones that are rubbing together (which is causing pain) and muscle will fill in to keep the leg functional.

There is one other option for an injury like this, which is amputation.

The individuals who have agreed to cover all of Emmy’s veterinary costs have simply stated that they do not have the funding for this surgery. They are a small nonprofit run off of donations. Trust me when I say- IVE BEEN THERE. When I ran Old Bones, I often spent my own money upfront to provide care to the animals I was responsible for. There is just never enough funding. Therefore, I am not saying this to bash them because this group has been absolutely AMAZING to work with. But- it is likely that we will have to go with amputation because of cost.

I am so sad for her because of her age. She has her whole life ahead of her and, while I think she’d do just fine with three legs, I want the absolute best for her. If we can raise the money, this little angel will be able to live a great life and make a family very happy.

Please help me. I don't want to disappoint her.