Maple is a 4 month old Dachshund in St Petersburg , FL, who needs $2,000 for Portosystemic Shunt Ligation (PSS)..

Maple came into my life as a tiny 2-and-a-half-pound puppy no bigger than my shoe. She was a gift to me for finally completing my associate's degree that I had been working on for 4 years. She has a big sister named Daisy who is a 10-year-old Chiweenie. They both share the same birthday! February 17th, 10 years apart. Watching them play and their bond grow makes me so happy.

Maple has been diagnosed with a liver shunt, confirmed with bloodwork and a CT scan. This is an abnormal blood vessel formed before birth that allows blood to bypass the liver. Without surgery, Maple would not make it to two. Blue Pearl Partners of Clearwater is experienced in liver shunts in puppies and has assured me Maple has a remarkably high chance of living a normal life with the surgery.

Maple’s intelligence showed the moment I got her, I started training her in the basics when she was 2 months old. She knows about 10 tricks! She can get quite sassy and speak her mind when playing, I like to say she is “talking smack.” She follows me everywhere I go and needs to be involved in everything I do. She is a little firecracker that has added more sparkle and light to my life.

I am currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in biology. I live at home working part-time as a dog walker to make ends meet and maintain my focus on my degree. Maple’s expensive surgery was a financial shock for which I was not prepared for. I want my little Maple to live.