River is an eight-year-old German Shepherd- Labrador mix in Austin , TX, who needs $2,000 for an MRI and spinal surgery.

Lauren S. is heartbroken, financially strapped, and worried. Her family's dog, River, needs an MRI and possible spinal surgery, but they can't afford it.

One day River jumped from the bed and hurt her back," Lauren tells Waggle. "She yelped when she landed, avoided walking, had issues getting up and downstairs, and started refusing to eat. A week later, River became paralyzed in her rear half."

They brought River to a specialist who put her on steroids which helped some mobility and feeling return in River's hind legs. But her pain hasn't gone away, and she can't hold herself up. Now she needs an MRI and possible spinal surgery at Pet Specialists of Austin.

"Our car and our dog broke at around the same time," Lauren says. "We've been without a car for a month, paying for Ubers everywhere, and we don't know if we can get the car fixed or we'll have to buy a new one. We don't have the money for an MRI and surgery."

River is a designated emotional support animal for Lauren's husband, who has autism. They adopted River after she was nearly euthanized at a shelter.

"She always knows when my husband is feeling down," Lauren adds. "She'll join him on the couch and demand pets until he feels better."

Please help River get back on her feet again!