Indigo is a two-year-old Leopard Hound Labrador mix in Rutledge, TN, who needs $2,000 for knee surgery.

Sometimes you don't find your dog -- your dog finds you! And in Christina Y.'s and Indigo's case, it was meant to be!

"Indigo came to our family when our other dog found him," Christina tells Waggle. "Someone had dumped him on our farm and didn't look back. He was covered in fleas, extremely bloated due to worms, his gums were pale, and he had sores on his skin. A friend of ours is a vet tech and took an immediate look at him and did not believe he would make it through the night."

But Indigo pulled through, and Christina says he instantly became part of their military family. "My husband was deployed and only saw him from photos, to begin with," she adds. "His beautiful blue eyes reached into our hearts with each look he gave us. Indie became very protective of everyone in the family. The day he met my husband for the first time, it was like they had known each other all the time. If we are outside, he has to be with us, protecting us."

Christina and her family nursed Indigo back to health, but sadly he still suffers from some medical issues and needs surgery right away. "Indie was malnourished prior to us getting him, and his joints didn't develop properly. They don't have enough of a grove in them, causing three injuries, and this time he has torn his ACL in his leg," Christina says.

Time is of the essence for Indigo to get TPLO surgery at Blackford Vet Surgery Referral, or severe muscle atrophy and damage will set in. Unfortunately, Christina and her family don't have the money to pay for Indigo's operation, and they're asking for assistance.

"Indie is two years old and doesn't deserve this," Christina says. "This was unexpected. I am currently out on medical leave from my job. We just want to see him live the best life possible after being treated like trash for the first 6-8 weeks of his life. So, any help is appreciated."

Can you help Indigo live the pain-free life he deserves in 2022 and beyond?