I never imagined I would be writing something like this. Everything in me says not to do this — my pride, my personality, the way I’ve always handled life — I believe in earning what I need and standing on my own. But I am so scared, and I love my dog so much, that I’m putting all of that aside for her. This is Dottie. She’s a Goldador, and she’s only 1 year old. We got her when she was just 13 weeks old, and from the moment she came home she became my whole world. She’s grown up alongside our little girl, Poppy — they are best friends.

Dottie has been there for every cuddle, every laugh, every tiny milestone, and it breaks my heart to think that Poppy might grow up without her.

It all started with something that didn’t seem that serious — lameness. We couldn’t understand why she was limping. After test after test, we finally got the devastating answer: Dottie has something lodged in her lungs, something she most likely inhaled. It has caused a serious infection and become trapped with damaged tissue and thick mucus around it. Her body can’t fight it on its own anymore.

The only way to save her is surgery, possibly thoracotomy with lung lobectomy and foreign body removal — a major operation where the surgeons will open her chest, go into her lungs, remove whatever object is there, cut away the infected tissue, and drain everything that’s built up.

Without this surgery, she won’t survive.

We’ve been told we have around two weeks. We are now in a race against time. We were originally quoted it could be up to £10,000 by our main veterinary hospital, which is completely out of reach for us. We have since applied to Animal Trust in Ellesmere Port to take on Dottie’s case and perform the surgery. They are a not-for-profit veterinary charity, which means the cost will be far more affordable — we are currently waiting for their response and an exact price.

I’ve already used Dottie’s insurance, and our funds and it still isn’t enough. We do have a little left on the insursnce but that’s why I’m here, doing something I never thought I would do. I don’t know what to say really. I hate that I’m even here asking. I hate that I’m in this position at all. But I am desperate to save her. Dottie is my family. She is my girl. And I will go down fighting for her no matter what.

All I want is to see her healthy again — running on her walks, wagging her tail when she hears her name, curling up beside me at night like she always does, and growing up alongside Poppy like she was meant to.

If there is any money left over after Dottie’s treatment, we promise it will be donated to a good cause where it will help other animals in need.

So if you can donate anything at all — even the smallest amount — it could help give her that chance. In advance, and with tears in my eyes, thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting us