Jess the wonder dog

I’m Ali and I’m fundraising for my 7 year-old lurcher, Jess. Jess came to me at around one and a half years of age, having already lost one leg due to cruelty and abuse. She was found in a ditch and had been left for dead, covered in wounds and scars from cigarette burns. Her leg was so badly damaged that vets couldn’t save it. They thought she’d been used for badger baiting and coursing and was discarded when she became too injured to use.  

 

While she has more than managed on three legs, Jess’s playful, cheeky, and sometimes heroic spirit is now threatened by a broken cruciate ligament.  

 

I found Jess at the RSPCA, although its truer to say that she found me. She was hiding at the back of her kennel when she saw me. Then she got up, came towards me, and I was smitten. My son and I were looking for a dog about the same size as our beloved collie, Toby. Jess was the same height as Toby when we stood them side-by-side at the kennels, but as soon as we got her home, she grew taller by 3 or 4 inches! 

 

She has since become the bravest dog I ever met, and as an experienced dog trainer and walker, I’ve met a lot of dogs. Always maternal and protective, she watches over any pack she is in and if she identifies a threat, she will come to the front, stand tall and wait for the intruder to back down. Once, I found myself corned by an escaped Akita that was very aggressive and about to attack. Jess came forward and did her thing. The Akita turned and left. Later, I heard that it attacked and injured 4 dogs and 2 men before it was caught. She is my hero. She is also utterly loyal. When Toby was taken ill suddenly, and died, Jess mourned him so much she refused to eat or drink. I took her with me on the day of his cremation. My son and I went into the room where he was lying. Jess was in front of us. I remember seeing her long, slender nose stretch forward and sniff. Then she gave out the longest, most heart breaking howl. She loved him, and has since adopted Lottie, our new collie, in the same way. Once you’re a member of Jess’s pack, whether you are human or animal, you are a member for life.  

 

I want to show Jess the same loyalty. The operation to fix her cruciate ligament will cost £3600. She will need 3 x-rays – 1 before the operation, 2 after – quoted at £500-£600 each. My insurance company will only pay out £1000 for each claim, so I need to raise a minimum of £4000. If you can help me ensure that Jess doesn’t lose another leg, I would be so grateful and believe me, so would Jess. Thank you.