Papa Tater is a 3 year old American Pit Bull Terrier in Minneapolis, MN, who needs $2,000 for Femoral Head Osteotomy (FHO).

A week ago I was driving back from a road trip with my friend. We pulled into a motel for the night in Texas. We found a dog limping around the parking lot, very dehydrated with ears full of ticks & bite marks all over his body. He was less interested in the bread we gave him than in climbing in the car so as not to be left behind again. He's shaped like a potato so we call him Papa or Tater Tot.

X-rays show that Papa has significant arthritis in his right hip joint and his femoral head bone is diseased. Due to the level of muscle wasting on this limb we think this injury occurred awhile ago, most likely he was hit by a car. He will undergo a Femoral Head Osteotomy at Access Vet Care in the next month. He has been in severe pain for so long & it will get worse if the bone is not removed.

He is an absolute lover dog. Despite what he's gone through he's very gentle with everyone, pets & people alike. He loves to hop around, sit & watch people pass by. I haven't had him very long, but he's everything I've looked for in a companion. My family really adores him & have come up with 20 different nicknames already. The vet says he's about 3-4 years old & could have many years ahead.

Papa's surgery will cost close to $3,900 which is a big expense I didn't expect right now. I have been approved for a grant from MN Humane Society to cover 1/4 of the cost & need to make up the rest myself. I am a bartender & freelance artist receiving medical assistance.