Changing Our Goal

I have changed Duke's fundraising goal to $2,100. For those of you who do not know, we may have found a surgeon, Hooray! We will know the exact cost of surgery next Wednesday, August 8th. At only 4%, we have a long way to go before we reach his surgery goal, but we are very hopeful! Please keep sharing his blog to your friends and family! Thank you for your support!

Surgeon Searchin'

Well, after speaking to Michigan State University and Michigan Veterinary Specialist, and receiving a quote of $4100 for Duke's TPLO surgery, we felt we should shop around a little to see if we can find a more reasonably priced surgeon. There simply has to be a surgeon who does this surgery for less than the cost of a car, right? Based on recommendations from friends and family and Joni Cavanaugh, Regional Coordinator for the American Bullmastiff Association Rescue, we called Dr Wilson of Wilson Veterinary Hospital, Sterling Heights, MI. The assistant I spoke with was very pleasant and patient. She set a surgery consultation appointment for Duke on Wednesday, August 8th. I was relieved to know their TPLO surgery cost is in the $2,000 range also. That's HALF the cost the other Vets had quoted us! So, there's a small glimmer of hope for Duke. Raising $2,000 seems much less daunting than $4,000. Now it's time to put our thinking caps on and start fundraising! I woke up at 4am panicked about how we were going to get him surgery and not fall short of being homeless. I started a small list of "fundraising ideas" and hope to get some of them rolling this week. Here is the current list: Post a photo with Duke's story at all of the pet stores and ask the cashiers if it is ok to leave a "Dollars for Duke" donation jar. See if there are any "Doggie Events" happening in the area we could go to, maybe offer homemade dog treats for donations. Finish emailing all of my friends and family to inform them about Duke's blog and what his current situation is. Get everyone together for a Party/Charity for Duke, make a dinner, have music, drinks, a fire, possibly even games or a movie night. Who doesn't like party's?! Go through everything I own and sell, sell, sell! That is all I've got for now. If anyone has ideas, please share! I would love to hear your ideas! X-rays will be posted soon!

Patiently waiting for the Vet

Chip In

Results are in: The big man needs surgery

Duke went back to the vet this morning. He was placed under sedation to get x-rays of  his hips and knee, as he has been limping for a couple of weeks.  The callback I received was not good news.  He has a torn ACL and fluid buildup around his knee. He will need surgery and it is very expensive. The two places the Dr. recommended were both $4100.  I was not eligible for Care Credit unfortunately so now I am racking my brain trying to figure out what to do.  I have made a "ChipIn" page to ask for everyone's help. 

X-Rays and updates soon to follow!