Surgery for Benji: A Heartfelt Plea

I've never asked for help before, so honestly, I'm not sure where to begin. This life has not been easy, and I've dealt with the cards I've been dealt, and I've always been strong and resilient, until now. My fur baby, Benji, is in trouble. My husband and I spent the night in the ER with him and found out that he has IVDD, otherwise known as a herniated disc that is pressing on his spinal cord, making it difficult for him to walk. This will require surgery by a skilled specialist to correct. We were told that this surgery has a 96% chance of recovery, but the surgery is going to cost thousands of dollars that we don't have. Tufts Vet Hospital has quoted $13,000 for this surgery for our Benji. (Includes anesthesia, surgery and hospitalization).

I don't know how to say this, but we need help. My fur baby is only 5 years old, and to say he is the light of my life is an understatement. I can deal with the fact that I have a chronic illness (SLE), and I can even deal with the fact that my husband and I do not have human children in the deck of cards we were dealt, but I can't deal with giving up on my baby, or seeing him in pain.

If you can find it in your heart, please help us save our baby.