Gertie needs our help...

Hi, I'm Leo, and this gorgeous pooch is Gertie.

I rescued Gertie nine years ago from Battersea Dogs’ Home, after she’d had a really difficult start to life and had been found on the street. In all the time I’ve had her, thankfully, she has stayed fit and healthy and has never needed serious veterinary help. Last week, that all changed. Gerts suddenly started suffering from acute and chronic pain in her neck. She currently can’t get comfortable, can barely lie down and stand back up, certainly can’t handle going up or down stairs, and simple movements from an ear shake to a little scratch make her yelp in agony. The condition she has - currently a herniated disc - is diagnosed in five stages. Gertie is around stage two right now. As the condition progresses, it starts to have neurological effects, ranging from not being able to move one of her limbs, to full paralysis at stage five. Effectively, her disc is pushing on her nerve, which is excruciating. Imagine slipping a disc in your neck.

Here's the good news: Gertie is treatable with surgery; the experts are very confident that she can make a full recovery with the right care. However, her current insurance only covers her up to a certain amount per condition, and her time at the vet’s, scans and pain relief medications have already totally maxed-out her cover.

I feel awful having to reach out to you all, given how difficult finances are for so many of us right now, and I never thought I would have to do something like this, but I’m here to ask you for any contribution, big or small, you could make towards her care. Treatment from the neurological and spinal specialists, with surgery, could run to over £8000, which I just don’t have. The alternative to getting her treated doesn’t bear thinking about.

Gertie has always had the happiest, most loving and nurturing character, and until now has been the picture of health. She has been there for the birth of my daughter, has looked after her and me, and has brought happiness to so many people. She is currently at her lowest though; it’s awful to see and I believe she deserves all the care and love I can give her.

If, by some miracle and with your support, we surpass the target of £8000 for Gertie’s treatment, or indeed if her treatment doesn’t end up costing quite that much, I promise to donate the remainder to another dog in similar need, or even to Battersea Dogs’ Home. If you don’t have a few pounds to spare right now, I totally understand, but it would mean the world to me if you could share this fundraiser regardless of whether you can contribute to it.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to read this, and for your love and help.

We send you all our love to you,

Leo & Gertie