CHARLIE is a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever in Montgomery, MD, who needs $2,000 for orthpedic surgery.

I found Charlie Brown 2 1/2 years ago at a Breeder in Penn. ! Charlie had 7 brothers and sisters. I held each one to see who I felt most connected to and Charlie was the only one who kissed me. I knew he was the perfect choice. I took him home and he was such a Joy to train and love. I took him everywhere I could. Every morning Charlie would go outside the front door and bring me the newspaper and each night that I came home from work rain or shine I took him to the baseball field near my house to play frisbee and we would run together up and down the field.
I have been in the Wholesale Automotive business for over 20 years working on 100 percent commission with zero benefits !
I suffer from Chronic Pancreatitis and I am often in the hospital for treatments sometimes lasting a week at a time. Charlie sleeps by the front-door when my daughter takes care of him waiting for me. Every time I come home from the Hospital Charlie stays by my side watching over me and always brings me a toy or something of mine showing me that he loves me and supports me. Its almost like he knows what is going on? He is the reason I recover so quickly from the debilitating painful disease!

One evening Last March I took Charlie to the Baseball field for a evening run and Charlie would not move when we got there and he looked very sad. I told him that we didn't have to play and then he started to limp all the way home. The next day I took him to Banfield Animal where I had a Wellness Plan and the Vet said I should rest Charlie and see if he improves. One week later Charlie still had no interest on going for any walks so I took him back to Banfield Animal Hospital and this time the Vet took Xrays and told me that Charlie looked fine and to rest him and not worry! Still no change. Took Charlie for a 3rd time to a different Vet and a different Banfield Animal Hospital and the Vet said that he believed that Charlie had torn his left ACL and that he would need to have Surgery and that I would have to have a Orthopediac Surgeon do the Surgery.
I took him to Blue Pearl Emergency Vet Hospital in Rockville and the Surgeon told me he would do a TPLO Surgery for 6000. and he was pretty confident that would solve Charlie's problem. Having no money saved and lots of my own medical bills I applied for Care Credit and was approved for only 6000. Charlie had the surgery and the next day had complications bleeding swelling etc and I took him back to Blue Pearl Vet Hospital and they said I would have to admit him for more care and charged me another 1500. I had no more credit available and needed to do something? My girlfriend who I have known for over 25years and I used to watch her Autistic Son offered to loan me the 1500. which I paid her back within 3 months.

Charlie's recovery was very slow moving and it took many months for Charlie to have the confidence to go on walks. I took him for check-ups and the Vet said don't worry it takes a long time for dogs to heal so I trusted that Charlie would improve. I even found a Dog Therapy Pool to take Charlie to hoping he would feel better. Instead of Charlie improving he became much worse. He could no longer go up the stairs at night to sleep in my room and he would lay at the bottom of the stairs and cry until I could help him get back up the stairs.

Last week I took him back to the Vet who did Charlie's Surgery who now works at a different hospital and he examined Charlie. He told me that he felt Charlie's left knee that he operated on was ok but not perfect but was more concerned that his right knee was now injured and would TPLO Surgery on that as soon as possible. I cried and told him that I could not afford anymore surgery and was still paying the Care Credit Card and would get another opinion. The Surgeon said that he understands and charged me 150.00 and gave me a report on his findings.

2 days later I took him to a well known Vet who had a lot of knowledge with ACL tears and he did more Xrays and bloodwork charged me 650. and confirmed that Charlie definitely will need Surgery on the other knee and that the Surgeon should look in the left knee to see if there is more damage to the knee.

Once again I was devastated! My friends family and Co-workers all said that I should put him down! I asked the Vet if he thought I should do that? The Vet was surprised and my question and said that he is only 2years old and he should have a long life to live with me.

Charlie is my whole world! I love him with all of my heart and I can not imagine my life without him.

I would greatly appreciate any help anyone can offer Charlie!