Athena is a 5-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier in Chicago, IL, who needs $1,500 for cruciate ligament surgery.

She was recently rescued from a life of neglect. Her former owner was homeless off and on; she has spent much of her life on the streets. Recently, she was found abandoned and malnourished and sick in a dimly lit, unfinished basement living among rat droppings, mold, and dirt. She needs urgent surgery to repair a cruciate ligament injury on her left leg.

Athena has found her forever home with me, but won't move in until after her surgery. She is the only pet (and only other being) in my home. She'll finally have security, plenty of sunbeams, a comfy bed and lots of toys and puzzles. Plus, I will be spending lots of time training her. She's a smart cookie who is eager to please, earn and explore.

She has the most precious grin and thinks she's a lap dog. She is so gentle. She loves to cuddle and snooze in the sunlight. Nothing makes her happier than finding a good stick. There is more to this cute baby than we can see now - she deserves the opportunity to walk and run without pain, and to live in a stable household. For the first time, she's learning that life is more than pain.

The wonderful women who rescued her used more than $1,000 of their own funds to get her the veterinary care she so desperately needed. More than food and clean water, Athena needed rounds of vaccines. She was dewormed and spayed. She needs urgent surgery to repair a cruciate ligament injury on her left leg, which will be performed at Blue Pearl, Northfield, IL.

I am recently unemployed and cannot afford the full cost of the surgery. I am literally giving everything to see her run and play without pain. She deserves happiness, security and the opportunity to thrive!