Athena is a 3-year-old Chaweenie in Gurley, AL, who needs $2,000 for critical back surgery.

Athena is the center of Melissa L.'s family.

She was a surprise for her 16-year-old son's birthday, and ever since, tiny Athena has developed a big personality in a home filled with people and other animals.

"When the cats start to scratch on something, she will go and bark at them," Melissa tells Waggle. "She loves to sing. Her favorite song is "Rise Up" by Mother and Son. She loves to give hugs and kisses. My heart melts when I come home to see how happy she is to see me."

But now, the family is facing a gut-wrenching situation.

"We took her to the vet for X-rays, and she has a mineralized disc sitting on her spine," Melissa says.

Athena needs urgent surgery to fix it, but the operation is upward of $3500 -- it's too steep a price for Melissa to pay.

"I am working, but with this being so much and unexpected, I am just not financially able," Melissa says. "We have cried with her. It breaks my heart to see her like this and not be able to do anything but give her pain meds."

Please help Athena!