Help Maple!

Meet Maple! She's our 5-month-old English bulldog. She's amazing, if you've met her you already know this. In recent weeks Maple has developed hemivertebrae and spina bifida during her growth. We noticed this recently because of the lack of mobility in her rear legs. While she still has some function it's clear that she is struggling while walking and is best described as 'wobbly'.

CLICK HERE for her photo album!

Let's rewind 8 years. With Spencer and Buddy. They were best friends after my divorce. A few years after this picture Buddy had to be put down due to Cushing's disease. This was a huge loss for us at a really stressful and trying time.

We went the last 7 years with no dog and just got into a routine. Fast forward to 2023. New house, life is stable, and mentally we are ready for another dog. I'm turning 40 in April, Spencer is turning 13 in July. I have always wanted an English bulldog but it's always been something that's been out of reach financially. I decided that this is the year. So in March, I had been in talks with a breeder from VA, I live in Maine, the stars aligned and I pulled the trigger. The breeder was willing to meet us halfway, I reminded her I'm in Maine and I'm not across town. She understood and was willing to meet Spencer and me in New York.

In early March I tricked Spencer into thinking we were meeting Grandma to drive something back home for her as we have a lot of family in the MD & PA area and for a 12-year-old this all just seemed plausible. Eventually, we met Maple and the big secret was revealed. We have a dog again!

Life...... is .....good.

Fast forward to 2 weeks ago. Maple has developed an awkward gait to the point I'm concerned. I brought her to our standard vet and while they agreed 'somethings up' we left with the understanding we were going to monitor things. Time for a second opinion so I called a well-known 24/7 full animal hospital and specialty clinic. They immediately called me back after the initial phone screening and asked that I bring her down that morning.

After 2 rounds of X-rays, MRI imaging and CT scans it's clear that Maple has Hemivertebrae and Spina Bifida. At the time she was described to me as 'a lemon', but she's our lemon. She's only 4.5 months old.

Xrays, MRI imaging and CT scans have already cost us $7,000 and after 2 second opinions she is a solid candidate for surgery to correct the Spina Bifida, but this is an additional ~$6,000.

I understand that outside looking in this all seems ridiculous and there is an easy path out. If you met Maple you'd understand why we're not going that route and we're going to do what's in her best interest, not what's in ours.

We are a large family, I have 2 boys and Carrie, my S/O, has 2 boys 1 girl, a grandson and a granddaughter. There's too much love to just give up.

If you'd be willing to share her gofundme to help ease some of the burden we would be forever grateful you will also find a photo album to share.

We will certainly do what is best for Maple with or without donations but any help provided would certainly prevent us from having to have Spencer pick up a full-time job. I'm sure he would appreciate it!