Radar's Ongoing Medical Expenses

Hi - I'm Patrick, and I'd like to ask for your help with our best friend.

If you've ever met Radar, you've been a victim of his tail, which is always wagging around friends. He's one of the happiest dogs I've ever met - a pretty remarkable feat, considering he's almost always in pain. He's truly a Very Good Boy.

We don't know his whole story, but we know that when Radar was a puppy, he had several traumatic accidents. One crushed his hips, damaged his spine, shattered the bones in his left front paw, and tore up his left ear. Another resulted in scarring that circles his upper left leg.

Because of his extensive injuries, the tip of his right hip bone is missing. An oversized mass of muscle holds things together instead. That has led to more complications - including surgery last summer on both rear legs to repair torn canine cruciate ligaments.

Now we need to remove the hardware plates and screws used to help in that repair. As is the case with some large-breed dogs, they've become a source of irritation, infection, and pain. (His TPLO repair will not be affected.)

That means Radar will need more surgery (scheduled), pain medication, antibiotics, and more physical therapy.

If you know me, you know I always adopt the runts; the misfits; the animals who need help.

When I brought Radar home 3 years ago, however, I had no idea of the true extent of his injuries, the amount of care he'd need, or the expense involved.

But Radar is part of our family now, and we're not giving up on him. He makes tough school mornings easier, and long, scary nights shorter. He's a source of warm hugs, long sloppy licks, and more love than any human deserves. My boys and I would be lost without him.

I know there are far more important fundraisers than this one. Thank you for considering ours. We are truly grateful.