My name is Rachel, and our sweet little buddy Thunder is a 5 year old mini Australian Shepherd. We got him from a friend when he was just 8 weeks old, and he's been the fluffy little Angel that our family needed!! We love him so much!

When Thunder was just 13 weeks old, he had to have emergency surgery on his bladder to remove a handful of struvite stones, an extremely rare occurrence in a dog so young. The condition would have ended his life within days, had we not been able to get the surgery. Thankfully, we were in a position do so, and we've been so grateful ever since.

While in surgery, the vet noticed that Thunder also has an abnormal ureter, which we were advised would lead to chronic urinary infections. Those warnings proved very true, as we've had to take him in every few months for infections, costing about $500 each visit. Still, we paid the money to keep him healthy. He's also been on a special medicated food since the surgery that is very expensive, but helps to prevent more stones from forming.

Fast forward 5 years later, we are now in a very different position. Due to chronic illness, my husband can no longer work. Our financial situation has drastically changed, and recently we were faced with another emergency vet visit for Thunder, where they discovered more stones in his bladder. Another surgery is looming.

Unfortunately, the cost of this surgery is significant. To remove the stones and fix his abnormal ureter, it will cost around $10,000, maybe more. This is completely out of our budget now, but we adore Thunder with all our hearts, and can't imagine letting him go so soon, just because we can't afford it.

So, we are now asking, with grateful hearts, for help. If you know us, or Thunder, you know he's family to us and anyone he meets. He's the happiest, cuddliest, sweetest dog known to man, and we want to save him!

If you have it in your heart to give, we will be forever thankful to you. Thank you so much!

Rachel, Jason & Tyler