Help Winston Walk Again: Support His Spinal Surgery

If you know me, then you are most likely familiar with my tiny, but mighty French Bulldog, Winston. Tomorrow, February 6th will be his 4th birthday and he will be waking up in the veterinarian hospital without me. Yesterday I noticed he wasn't acting like his rambunctious, social self. The little potato I knew who loved to run, smell all the smells, greet all the other dogs was now walking slowly and acting lethargic. After our afternoon nap, I woke up and he was unable to use his hind legs.

I knew something was wrong immediately and I drove him to our local veterinarian. After 6 long hours of x-rays and tests, I was told he had damage to his spinal cord, (IVDD) common in the French Bulldog breed, and that he would need surgery. I drove over immediately to speak with the veterinarian neurologist, desperately hoping surgery was the worst case scenario, and that we had other options to consider.

But we didn't.

After another 8 hours of tests, an MRI and prepping for surgery, I was shown the scans of his spinal injury and the doctor explained her plan. I left the hospital uneasy but keeping the faith, as she would start surgery right away. About 3 hours later I received a phone call, Winston's surgery was successful but I would need to wait until the morning to get an update on his status, how he was handling the pain medication, and when I would be able to take him home.

I write to you now as I sit on my bed, in a quiet room normally filled with tiny snores and the warmth of my best friend that I don't know will ever have full mobility of his hind legs again. I can only pray and hold gratitude for the community that has already been so generous in helping me to pay for his surgery deposit.

The hospital he was referred to, does not take a payment plan and IVDD is not covered under pet insurance. Today, the online community helped me to raise $4,000 for his initial surgery deposit, so that he could have surgery right away, lessening he chance of permanent paralysis. There is a remaining cost of $8,000+ for the services of his surgery, overnight boarding, medication and follow up appointments that is due upon his pick up.

Like most of us, I do not have $8,000 readily available to pull from my bank account, but I am not too proud to ask for help. Winston is my whole world and making sure his surgery is paid for, so I can focus on his healing journey is my main priority. I am uncertain what the future holds but I do know that this world is full of so many kind and generous people, and that every donation makes a difference. I am asking the GFM community to help me raise $8,000 so I can pay for the remainder of his surgery, and take Winston home where he belongs.