Save Molly's leg: A Loving Dog in need of a better future.

Hello and thank you to everyone who is taking the time out to read this. My name is Jaime Augustine and I'm starting a GoFundMe for my dog Molly. Seeing any animal in pain tugs at my heartstrings. Seeing my dog in pain breaks my heart and I feel helpless, especially when she looks to me expecting me to "fix it." I don't know what to do other than to pray, to ask, to beg, and to plead for help, whether it's help financially or help with passing this around to your animal-loving friends or groups you may be a part of.

Molly is a beautiful dog. She just turned 6 and still has a lot of life to live and a lot of love to give.

Towards the end of April, Molly was playing catch and hurt her back leg. We took her to her vet, Friendship Veterinary Clinic, the same one Molly has been going to for 6 years. They put her on Carprofen, with the orders of leashing her when she goes to the bathroom to prevent her from running and jumping. The hope was that she only sprained something and that in a couple of weeks, when the medicine ran out, we'd be able to tell if she was all better or still in pain and needed to come back for x-rays. Molly ran out of medicine the Saturday before Mother's Day. That Saturday, Molly was miserable but still able to walk. She came upstairs and kept me awake until 5:30 am Mother's Day morning. When I woke up 3 hours later, Molly could no longer walk or put her leg fully down. I was told she slipped on a pinecone while trying to squat to do her "business."

I got a hold of the Friendship Veterinary Clinic and got Molly in for x-rays. What started as weight-bearing lameness worsened acutely a month later. Molly was sedated and the x-rays found a cranial drawer. Molly has a ruptured left CCL and blew out her knee. The vet told us time is of the essence. The longer Molly remains inactive and unable to walk, she will put on weight. Yet, we can't walk her or really give her exercise because then Molly can possibly rupture the right side as well.

Friendship Veterinary Clinic recommended Bay Area Veterinary Surgery in Yorktown. It's a 26-mile hike, but apparently, they're highly recommended. When I called Bay Area the next day, they were closed until June 9th. I called other surgeons in the area for price quotes and timelines as to when they could get Molly in. Since Bay Area Vet was closed, I didn't even know how much this was going to cost. The other orthopedic veterinary surgeons in the area said they wouldn't even be able to see Molly for 8 weeks, and by that time, they'd need to do more x-rays and it would take even longer for Molly to get the help she so desperately needs. Molly has been stuck downstairs in the laundry room since Mother's Day. Stairs are now the enemy. This from a dog that used to try and jump out of moving car windows to play with other dogs! I wanted to find a way for her to get up 4 stairs to be in the main part of the house. I felt so sad and Molly looked so despondent; we just wanted her to be part of the family again. I refilled Molly's pain meds, ordered a ramp off Amazon, and a sling to help her get up those couple of stairs while we waited for June 9th.

On the morning of June 9th, I called Bay Area Surgeons as soon as they opened. They informed me of their estimated prices and that someone from scheduling would call me soon. I asked Bay Area to send an email documenting the price breakdown.

Hello Ms. Augustine,

I enjoyed speaking with you today regarding Miss Molly. I have included estimates for our initial consultation fee, TPLO surgery, and 8-week follow-up appointments below. All of these costs are valid as of today, 6/11/2025. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information!

Initial Consultation: $225

TPLO surgery to address CrCL loss: $4600-$5000

8-week recheck (exam and radiographs): $200-$250

Brenna Chasteen-Boyd

Veterinary Assistant/Referral Coordinator

Bay Area Veterinary Surgery

Apparently, they're going to cut the rest of the bone through, plates and screws will be involved. The 8-week recheck is to make sure plates haven't shifted and screws are still tight.

$5600 is a lot of money! Veterinarians, workers at PetSmart, and various people I've talked to seeking advice have thrown around the term "economic euthanasia." My Molly is not old. She was a very active dog. She can still have a long, happy life. My 11-year-old nephew overheard me say economic euthanasia. Once he realized what that meant, he ran to his room, raided his piggy bank, and wanted to donate 100 dollars. That gives me hope. If an 11-year-old boy would donate, maybe some more kind-hearted people would help donate too. If not donate, maybe just share this around?