Sam is a 6 month old Golden Retriever in Fairview, NC, who needs $17,000 for 2 Emergency Surgeries, Anesthesia x2, and Medications.

Sam and his brother Milo came into our lives 4 months ago at 8 weeks of age. After my husband's cancer diagnosis, I needed a reason for him to get up in the morning and fight and that reason was those two golden retrievers. To watch him play with them, train them, walk with them, brings so much joy. They are his best buddies.

Like all puppies, Sam loves to chew on anything but after 24 hours of vomiting we took him to VEG, Veterinary Emergency Group in Hendersonville, NC. He had a glove stuck in his small intestine and required emergency surgery. Post-op he developed an intussusception. We were told our options were a second surgery or put him to sleep. So second surgery it was. Bill is now over $17,000.

Of the two of them, Sam is the more adventurous, loves to go exploring and the much more independent. He loved his first snow and loves playing in our creek but what he especially loves is playing with and cuddling with his brother. Or cuddling in my husband's lap while getting pets. If you dare stop petting him. He nudges your hand with his muzzle to keep going. He's not done yet even if you are

We are both retired and on a fixed income, social security. While we have excellent health insurance for my husband, we did not have any pet insurance and this is an expense that is very hard to bear. Sam is so worth it but I am so worried.