I can hardly believe I am writing this about our dog, Randy, who is so full of life. As many of you know, Randy is the light of our lives, especially for Andrew, who has been serving in the military for the past year. When Andrew returned home early Friday morning, I took Randy outside for their long-awaited reunion, which was truly incredible.

Later that day, in his excitement, Randy jumped onto Andrew but then fell hard onto our hardwood floors. He appeared to be fine throughout Friday and Saturday; however, by Sunday afternoon, when he attempted to jump onto our bed to be with us, his legs suddenly gave out. Throughout the night, he experienced pain, and by morning, his back legs were paralyzed. The emotional toll of watching Randy, Andrew’s best friend, suffer just two days after their reunion was devastating, especially given the slim chances of survival with paralyzed back legs.

We promptly took Randy to the veterinarian, who recommended an MRI. After consulting with the neurologist team at Northstar Veterinary, we learned that Randy was in significant pain and required immediate surgery due to double slipped discs. Fortunately, one of his legs retains some mobility, giving him a 90% chance of survival post-surgery. Following the procedure, he will need extensive therapy for three months, that will help him regain enough strength to go for jogs with us and enjoy trips to the park, although activities like hiking and being a barn dog will no longer be possible.

Anyone who has met Randy can attest to his remarkable nature, as well as his obedience and the love he receives. He defies the stereotypical image of pit bulls often portrayed on social media. We are aware that the expenses associated with the surgery and therapy for our dog will be considerable. During this challenging time, our family is seeking assistance to help ensure our dog can regain his mobility and extend his life following this unfortunate accident that should not have occurred.