Hello everyone, this isn't something I'm happy about doing. It's not easy to ask for help, in fact, it's flat out embarrassing. However, I have to choke on my own pride here because Rocky Balboa needs surgery.. and quickly. So if you haven't already unfriended or unfollowed me by now.. then, here's the big boy's story... (Brace yourself, it involves abuse as the story unravels)

We rescued Rocky last April from Baltimore Humane Society. Because he is a large dog he sat in the shelter for a month or more. They took him to events and even tho people would show interest, he never got adopted. No one wanted poor Rocky. They think he is a Border Collie/Lab mix and he is the sweetest pup. We are absolutely in love with him! I knew he was ours when he waddled his precious fat butt out of the door. However, Rocky was neglected. The shelter estimated his weight should be around 80 lbs. He weighed 136 lbs when we adopted him. Over the summer we were able to get him down to 116 lbs. He was becoming an active, playful, happy dog but there's still a ways to go. Fast forward to last December. Either during a car ride or while playing with other dogs, Rocky managed to tear a ligament and meniscus in his back left leg. During x-rays at his primary vet we also found what looks like a pellet bullet near his right hip. The story the shelter guessed for Rocky was that he was picked up by PG County Animal Control and thought to be owned by an elderly woman who died. We're not sure what really happened to Rocky, but when the vet states that at some point he was under fire, a picture of a much different story is painted.  This explains the scar and lump on his right hip, why he is not a fan of towels, fly swatters,  men or boys.  He needs a specialized procedure called a TPLO (tibial-plateau-leveling osteotomy) on his back left leg. Of course, this same week my husband lost his job so we're trying to get by on my income with our 3 year old daughter. I've called over 20 vets in my area and found one that will do the surgery for 3650. That is about 500 cheaper than the other places. He's has trouble walking and is starting to have trouble getting up. I'm worried his knee will get worse and that the weight distribution to his other legs will cause a needed knee repair in those also. I'm also concerned he's going to gain all the weight back (if he hasn't already) and end up with diabetes. Diabetes is not fun or cheap ( I lost my dear Dusty Lou to that disease). This is a recipe for disaster in every way. I've reached out to a few groups but am mostly turned down because I don't fall in the poverty bracket. 

If you read this far, thank you. If you can contribute or say a prayer we'd more than appreciate it. Life changes aren't fun, especially when it's forced change.  

“Life's not about how hard of a hit you can give... it's about how many you can take, and still keep moving forward.” 
―  Sylvester Stallone,  Rocky Balboa