Help the Dude

Hi my name is the Dude. On Saturday I was out for a stroll and someone shot me and shattered my femur.
I’m always happy and want to be everyone’s best friend! I don’t bark, I don’t bite, but I give the best kisses and even better snuggles. 4 years ago Leah and her Dad rescued me. Leah had her small business down at an event in downtown yakima. It was late in the evening when she was about to leave and I wandered up. I was so hungry and lost! She had dog treats, and we were instantly best friends!! Her dad came around the corner with a hot dog and he must have liked me because he let me have it. I followed Leah around as she asked everyone if I was theirs.....soon we were the only ones left in the parking lot. She begged her Dad to let me come over for a sleepover. He finally caved and I went to the farm with them.
For months Leah put up posters, called lost adds, and searched for my family, but no one came for me. I don’t know why!? I only ever want to love and be loved. I think I was sent to the farm to be a true friend to Leah’s Dad. Ken really needs me around! I help him around the farm, keep him company, and go on fun adventures with him. We’re best friends!!
Luckily he had everything a yellow lab like me needed! His best friend Zeke (a yellow lab) had just passed away after 16years on Christmas Day, not too long before I came around. I took over for Zeke. I filled his spot on the couch under Ken’s petting hand, followed him out to help feed the horses, and even wore his old collar. I think I really eased the pain of losing an old friend. Now Ken is all alone, his girls have grown up, and he needs me most. 

I’m Leah, I’m struggling to write this through tears, as my Dude rests his head in my lap. It’s never easy to ask anyone for help. If I had any other options I wouldn’t ask, but I would do anything to save Dude. Even with a shattered femur he still wags his tail and only wants love. 
Saturday morning he went for a run and found himself in the sights of a high powered rifle. For some reason, I don’t know, someone shot him. He’s never been aggressive, he doesn’t go near livestock, and is always friendly to other people and pets. He couldn’t have been far from home because he drug himself back. We thought he had been hit by a car and rushed him to the emergency vet where they found the 22 hollow point bullet that shattered his femur.  There was nothing they could do there so now we had to wait to see our normal vet. Dr. Lutz Harfs at Animal Medical Services told us that the only way to repair this was to surgically put a steal plate in and we needed to go see a specialist in Spokane because no one in town did this type of operation. Amputation is not a good option because he is such a large dog and large dogs use their hind legs to get up, down, and all around. It could really affect his life expectancy....
We are now left in waiting for the specialist to review everything but the cost is looking extreme. Not only the operation, vet stay, and current vet bills, but the travel too. I know my dad and I would travel to the end of the earth to take care of Dude, but I know we are financially blocked at this point. I will give every last penny I have to save him, but I don’t think that’s even enough.
Dude doesn’t deserve to die, and my Dad doesn’t deserve to lose his best friend right now. If you could find it in your heart to donate, any amount, would be so appreciated! 
Thank you for reading and for sharing!