Teagan is a six-year-old Chihuahua mix in Boulder, CO, who needs $1,800 for leg surgery.

When Meghan H. saw a picture of a scruffy, sweet-faced Chihuahua mix named Teagan who needed a home, she instantly knew that was the dog for her. "We immediately fell in love with Teagan," Meghan tells Waggle. "She was formerly trained as an emotional support animal, and it shows. We call her Tea at home, and she is beginning to adjust to life with walks and playdates with other dogs."

But as Teagan was out and about with other dogs, Meghan noticed she was having problems, "She hops on her back right leg when walking, as it is painful for her to bear weight on her left leg," Meghan says.

It turned out Teagan was born with both of her knee caps out of place. The condition is called a luxating patella. "The veterinarian has told us that the severity of her condition will eventually result in torn ligaments and arthritis, which we are trying our best to prevent," Meghan adds.

Luckily, surgery can help fix Teagan's condition, and Dr. Andrew Boal at Rise Vet is standing by to operate, but Meghan needs to raise the money for the procedure. "As a graduate student who has faced financial hardship during the pandemic, Teagan's needs have become an insurmountable hardship," Meghan says. "We love Teagan so much and can't wait to see her reach her full potential, running zoomies around our apartment without pain."

Meghan is hoping giving animal lovers will help them rescue Teagan a second time and help give her a pain-free future.