Help Solvi use her leg again, pain free.

My best friend Solvi tore her ACL. The surgery to repair it properly, and ensure she can live many more years without pain is $5,000.

Although I've managed to secure a little over half the cost, I still need help for her, including a start for some physical therapy she will need.

I have worked very hard over the last 5 years putting my life back together after a divorce that basically left me destitute. I did everything I could, worked 2-3 jobs,long hours, 7 days a week, and slowly got myself to stable. I did this for my pets. I could have lived out of my car, or in a house with 5 roommates, and saved money, but my 3 dogs and 2 cats deserved better.

Sadly during the first 3 years of this 5 year time period, I lost 3 of my dogs within a year of one another, 2 started having seizures, and both were diagnosed with Brain cancer. My 10 year old Gimley, went down hill very quickly. Within 3 months of his diagnosis, I knew it was time. My big girl Calo who was also 10,was a different story. Her decline was very slow, and it was over the course of a year that she slowly met the end of her time with me. The last 5 months was torture. Hospice care for a 90lb dog who forgets where they are, and who you are, or how to eat is something so difficult, I did everything I could to keep her comfortable, I left work everyday to give her the medication she needed, I covered my bed and floors in waterproof covers, so she could still lead the life she was used to, and still sleep with me like she always had, even if she had a seizure or had an accident. I was mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted but I didn't give up until she did. Both Gimley and Calo were put to sleep at home, surrounded by the people and other animals that loved them.

In between the loss of Gimley and Calo was a life lost that was much more tragic. After Gimley had passed, and I finally was able to rent a house, and get settled...I was given an 8 week old puppy. Although it wasn't the best timing, that little puppy Rooster helped heal a huge hole in my heart after losing Gim. Having that little puppy to look after and train, helped keep my mind and heart too busy to think about how much deep down I was hurting and mourning... my dog, marriage, house, security, my entire whole life up till that point.

Calo and Solvi were great big sisters to him, and the girls were so easy and well trained, they helped the new addition become a welcome and loved member of the pack. We were all happy,busy, and together until the first fight.... the girls went after Rooster when he was 8 months old. I borrowed money from friends, hired a professional animal behaviorist, read articles, put up baby gates, did everything I could, I never in my life had been put in a position where I had to consider finding a new home for one of my dogs, but for Roosters safety I started the process. Rooster had been the runt of his litter, and had been diagnosed with a deformed soft palate when he was 10 weeks old. Visits to the vet for sinus infections were a regular occurrence. 5 days after his first birthday when he started acting a little off, I called my vet and we headed over. Something seemed very different this time, and if anything I thought he might have an intestinal blockage...boy was I wrong.

My vet seemed perplexed. Rooster was very dehydrated. They wanted to keep him overnight so he could be on fluids, and they could work on him first thing in the morning and take xrays. Then I got the call... "sweetheart " was the first word out of my vets mouth, and my heart sank. Not only did Rooster have a deformed soft palate, he had a balloning esophagus, and a deformity that caused one of the parts of his heart to grow around his esophagus. As he grew, and his heart grew, it completely cut off his esophagus. My vet who had been in practice over 40 years, said he had never seen something like that before. He said he was going to make some calls, and do some research. 2 hours later I was given the call, and even if I had $50,000.00 there would have been no guarantee. There was nothing that could have been done. My mom left work early, picked me up ( because I was too emotional to drive) and we met my 1 year old puppy at the vets office, all the staff joined us in the room, we all cried, and said our goodbyes.

I have been fortunate enough to have a vet that was aware of my life and my financial situations over the course of my "rebuild " they didn't charge me for anything other than Roosters cremation. When Gimley and Calo got sick, they gave me free medication, and never ever made me feel judged.

I didn't understand the dog fights until Calo got sick... Then it all made sense.

Solvi knew 5 minutes before hand if Gimley was going to have a seizure, and would start barking frantically and lay on top of him.She obviously knew something was very wrong with Rooster too. When Calo had seizures, Solvi would warn me of those too. But as Calo got worse, Solvi couldn't be around Calo anymore. Solvi wanted to be with her, and lick her, and cuddle her, but it wasn't safe for Calo. Solvi would lay on the other side of the baby gate, and even from another part of the house she could sense a seizure and warn me. Solvi never acted out, destroyed anything, or seemed bothered by the new situation, she cuddled with the cats, and adapted.

When I lost Calo, my 3rd dog in 3 years I was a level of heartbroken I do not wish on anyone. Solvi is the only reason I got myself out of bed for a while. Solvis undying devotion, sensitivity, and jovial personality kept me moving forward. I got a better job, I got a second job, I secured a normal schedule for myself and for Solvi. Solvi reminds me every day of the dogs that I lost, she snorts like a pig on walks like Gimley used to do, and Calo taught her the art of making a nest out of the throw pillows on the couch.

Losing 3 dogs that no amount of money could have saved, is sometimes the sad reality of pet ownership.

Having a perfectly healthy 6 year old dog who has an injury that has a price tag, is also a pet owners reality. This is the first time I have ever asked for help. My parents and my brother all suggested euthanasia, which to me is NOT an option. My best friend deserves to live a happy, healthy, pain free life. If a $5k surgery can help her do that, that's more important to me than saving for a down payment on a house. If it takes me a few more years than I thought, I want my best friend Solvi walking through the door ( limp and pain free) of OUR home TOGETHER!

My birthday is this week, and the last two years all I asked for was a Barkbox subscription for Solvi.

This year, helping her is all I want in this world, but I need your help to do that.

Thank you for reading this. If you know me personally, and can't donate, please share our story.

XOXO

-Claire and Solvi Hackley