Knee Surgery for the Velvet Hippo

Luna, the world famous Velvet Hippo, has severely injured her already-vulnerable right knee, and will require a TPLO surgery next week.

This is a surgery we went through twice already with Neville. It costs around $6000 and will entail about 2 months of stringent rest and recovery. Without it, though, Luna will not be able to use her right hind leg again, and will likely injure her left one from overuse. She's 7 years old, and we can't consign her to years of lameness.

We feel very humbled to be asking for this help, as Drew and I don't believe in taking on animals unless we are able to provide for them. But this latest emergency comes after a year of unexpected and very expensive vet bills for Neville and dental bills for me, and we're in a bit of a bind.

So if the many, many photos or songs or snuggles or stories of the Velvet Hippo have brought you any joy, please consider sending us a little bit of help to get her through this challenge. Any tiny amount makes a big difference for our family.