Honey needs help!!!

[Doodle]

We just received a phone call from the vet confirming Honey (only 8 months old!) has 2 partially torn ACLs!!!! Our vet's office has an orthopedic surgeon as well and he agreed with our vet and asked that the x-rays be sent to a radiologist to double check. All three are in agreement it is both knees.

How can this be? Our poor Honey!! She's on meds to control the pain.

The vet is talking about surgery on BOTH knees with extensive recovery time.  Honey would have to be still with no exercise. Did I mention she is only 8 months old?

I'm sure it must have happened when Honey and Shadow were chasing and wrestling, they always have a good wrestle and run. 

The vet said it is going to cost anywhere from $1500-$2500 that's PER KNEE!!!! Tears are flowing as I'm writing this and my heart is breaking. We can't pay for this. We've already spent over $2,000 in medical bills on her just in the last 4 months! What am I going to do? I love her so much. If we don't do the surgery than she will either get a full tear in one or both knees and get arthritis and have to be on constant pain meds until she can't take it anymore. I can't do that to her. I feel horrible. I told the vet I heard that sometimes it can heal on its own.  She wasn't as hopeful because Honey is bigger (50 pounds) and generally speaking that happens in smaller dogs and it's not all that common.

HELP!!! What do I do??

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

Elizabeth, 

My heart is breaking for this little pup who didn't choose to come into this world through irresponsible breeding or choose to have a rough first few months of life with irresponsible humans.  Her time with your family has shown her the good in humans and shown you that she is a tough cookie to have come through everything and still be a happy loving doodle.  

I'm not in your shoes and can't tell you what to do, but this little girl deserves unconditional love, care, and support from her human family, after all that is what our doodles give us, with out question, every day of our lives together.

[Doodle]

Wow, how I hope those judging me will never be in our family's shoes. I wish all of your doodles well. I hope they continue to be healthy and amazing for each of you.
The roller coaster of this whole thing is awful. May you never have to experience it. Those that have, I commend you and I am envious you are on the other side.
It's unbelievable how hurtful some of your comments are; I have read them all. You assume you know me; That I'm just going to throw this dog aside and leave her for vultures. Or perhaps I'm a mother that couldn't possible teach my children empathy, sympathy, or follow through when the going gets tough. Some are so quick to judge and hiss cruel things at an extremely difficult time for me and my whole family (Honey included)!
Do not presume you know what you would do in my situation. We haven't even decided, we are trying to think this through every angle. That's why I posted this...for help (not judgement). I've had dogs my whole life, I've raised all of them from pups to their senior years' last breath. I've been through surgeries, broken limbs, infections, etc. We've overcome behavior issues. I've NEVER given a dog away, I've never bred a dog, I don't believe there are bad dogs-just bad caretakers. So please stop growling at me during such a difficult time and quit trying to peg me for a Throw Away Caretaker. I love Honey very much and this is awful. She's an amazing girl that deserves a lifetime of love. She did have a rough start and my job for her is to support her, love her, take care of her and make the best choices for her.
Using sarcasm, attacking and negativity is never useful. Nor will it change a person's mind to your point of view. It's just unloving.
My children and husband are off the table, you don't get to attack them. They are amazing people with so much love to share with the world.
I don't know how all this will unfold. I will do whatever it takes for Honey to have her surgery because that's what's best for her.
I'm grateful for the possible responses. Those that were kind, I thank you very, very much. I appreciate the website suggestions and reading about those that have been through the surgery is very helpful.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

If you have time, search the forum for a story about Hurley. Regina was a fairly new member when she came on DK looking for help for Hurley.  Hurley had head cysts and they couldn't afford the treatment. The members of this community offered advice and Regina got in touch with the Doodle Messenger and most of us gladly contributed to Hurley's surgery and the outcome was great. The difference was she never once (that I remember) talked about re-homing Hurley or a husband that grew up on a farm and had to be convinced to help Hurley. Those are your words, not ours. Regina and her kids did fund raisers and all kinds of stuff to contribute to Hurley's care and they never once said he would be better off re-homed. DK jumped behind this family with donations, words of support, advice, and love, for a dog none of us had ever met. We have done this many times in the past.  I believe a dog is a member of the family.  It is a responsibility you take on when you get a dog to see them through sickness and health.  I think if you knew anything about DK you would see many people are in your shoes and have dogs that have been financially and emotionally draining on their lives and yet, they stuck with it and continue to take care of their dogs.

Putting all that aside, who is going to take Honey? I would gladly donate for Honey's care IF I felt you and your family were in it for the long haul and re-homing would never be an issue. In my opinion, this is a valuable lesson for children, because life is unfair and can be very hard, but in the end, family is what counts and a dog is a part of the family. Good luck to your family!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

So sorry Elizabeth, I can see that this is a very difficult time for you and I certainly did not mean to upset you. Was posing questions, expressing concern and understanding in how difficult this can be financially as well. You clearly sound like a caring mother and a very compassionate pet owner, that is obvious, but the undertone of your messages are heavily hinted with the family leaning towards not being able to do this with/for Honey and that is upsetting to many of us who do know we would do anything to help our doodles and have done much to help others right here on DK and in rescues.
It is good to hear that you will do whatever it takes for her to get her surgery. Maybe now there can be a discussion of how the DK members can help you with that should that become necessary and you be accepting of our help. Certainly no one underestimates how hard this would be for anyone of us, but especially so when little ones are involved. Nothing but good thoughts and prayers for you to get through this difficult time.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Listen, lady, don't come here dumping your bag of dog poop in our house and then get offended when we hold our noses from the stink.  You get an entire group of strangers worried sick about your puppy and reaching out with help, and then you tell us you and your selfish husband are going to dump her? How did you expect us to react?? "Oh, okay, that's good"?

You put this crap on our table. You told this story. You asked for advice. If anyone has a right to be hurt or angry, it's the people here who you have made heartsick with this horrible story.

You have no idea who you are talking to here. This is the most generous, caring group of dog owners on the planet. The members of this forum have raised thousands of dollars to pay the medical coats of doodles in need with the Doodle Messenger, and we would have helped Honey, too if you had cared enough about her to get in touch with them. 

And yes, I have been where you are. I have an adopted labradoodle with no insurance for him and he has two incurable immune-mediated diseases that require lifetime treatments. His vet bills in 2012 topped five figures. Last fall, my friends here on DK raised $3000 for him in a matter of days. But even if they hadn't, I would no more have put him through the trauma of rehoming him than I would have done that to one of my children. Because that's what you do for family. We have members here who went into debt to pay for their dogs' surgeries, and slept on the floor with them afterwards. We have members who are grieving the loss of precious dogs that they could not save despite doing everything humanly possible trying, and they have to read about you wanting to rehome an 8 month old puppy with two torn knees who's already been shuffled around and who could be saved because it's expensive or inconvenient for you?. That's who you're talking to here. WE are offended. 

 For you to say that you and your husband "love" Honey is a slap in the face to everyone of us who really does love their dog. You clearly don't know the first thing about what it means to love a dog.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I'm sure a portion of her defensiveness is coming from the knowledge that we are right. She knows that it's not the selfless move and that is why she's upset that we are confirming her guilt. I expect she wanted us all to coddle her and assure her that she's making the best decision for Honey by dumping the problem onto someone else.

I always try not to judge anyone in such a tough situation because I understand how hard it is to be in a tight financial situation. But I know that if this was Darwin, we would come up with the money somehow. I'd sell my camera equipment, ask my parents and friends for help, etc. Luckily we have pet insurance, but if something happened that wasn't covered, I would never even think to get rid of Darwin. I am hoping that she is just saying this out of stress, and that she really does love her dog as much as she claims to. That she doesn't really mean that she would get rid of poor Honey. Because obviously from the response she posted, she knows it's NOT the best thing for honey and that honey would NOT be able to find someone to adopt her and pay for the surgery. 

I didn't want to comment in here because this type of situation DOES hit a nerve for me. Volunteering at the shelter has shown me exactly what happens to dogs who are surrendered because they have injuries or sickness that the owner's won't pay for. I'll spoil the ending for you guys - They DO NOT get adopted. They get put down. 

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

Washington State University vet med program has a Good Samaritan Fund that provides financial assistance for lifesaving procedures. Since it sounds like Honey came from a puppy mill, is young, and in need of an expensive surgery so perhaps they could help. They have an online application. Definitely worth a try!

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-vth/goodSam/index.aspx

[Rita and Fazzy]

Great suggestion...I knew that they have a wonderful Vet program, but was unaware of the Good Samaritan Fund....awesome suggestion!!!

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

I have no idea how readily they offer assistance but it doesn't hurt to apply! Fingers crossed! :)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Wow! Rehome an injured dog who needs surgery! Oh yeah, sign me right up for that one! I just don't see who you could possibly ask to take this on, and how would you even begin to find someone? Put an ad in the paper? Ask friends with older children to take on these responsibilities? Why, because it would be less noisy? She'd still have to be isolated somewhat and kept calm.
None of the reasons stated are all that out of the ordinary for a dog who has an injury and needs to recover. Many many people have had to do this at one time or another. And it is just months of what is your dogs lifetime and children's childhoods to enjoy this precious dog. What is the lesson here to the children? Sounds like : Dogs are great but when the going gets rough, or it becomes inconvenient, they are disposable ? And what's wrong with teaching children to be considerate of another living thing when it needs them to be, by learning to not excite the dog for a few months? I'd be surprised if your children don't rise up to the occasion and learn ways to sit with her and pet her and play quietly near her to help with her recovery.
I have a feeling this is more about it being a huge financial burden for your family, and that's ok if that is what it is. It is a lot of money and if it means too much sacrifice and witholding necessary things for your family, then you will have to do what is best for your human family, of course. But honestly, I think all the other reasons so far are not asking for too much from a pet owner who "loves" their dog. But that's just my opinion.

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

That is quite awful news.  Our doodle who we got from a reputable breeder also had a partially torn cruciate ligament.  We also tried resting her for 8 weeks, no running, no playing, no doggie day care, no horse play...only on leash walking very minimum for potty & poo breaks.  Well, it did no good.  She also weighs 50#'s.  We considered the orthopedic support, but after talking to 3 different vets, & x-rays,  we had to believe that there would be no healing of the ligament and she indeed needed surgery.  She is a bit older, but still only 2 when I first noticed the problem, she is 2 1/2 now.  We procrastinated and wasted time hoping it would heal on its' own.  Good luck to you and Honey.  There is no guarantees for the stifles(knees) from any breeder I am familiar with.  I was also told the only way to be positive sure the stifles will not be weak and end up with tears is in genetic testing and that is years down the line yet.  Skadi is now in her 11th week of recovery ... next week I will be allowed to let her off leash twice a day for 5 minutes each time...we progress from there.  It takes a good 4-6 months before they are considered fully healed.  My heart goes out to you.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Elizabeth, I'm sorry if you are feeling attacked and judged, we are a group that are passionate about our doodles and we are trying to understand and help. We tend to get upset when we even think that someone is contemplating giving up on a beautiful baby. I'd like you to read this story about someone who found themselves in a similar situation and how DK came together to help. We really do care.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/hurleys-story-cysts-and-mrsa

http://doodlemessenger.webs.com/doodleinneedhurley.htm

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/donation-update-on-hurley

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/a-huge-announcement-hurley...