Highlands Veterinary Hospital

Zelda

Zelda is a three-year-old Cane Corso in Grand Bay, AL, who needs $2,000 for intervertebral disc disease surgery.

Grand Bay, AL

Zelda lives life in debilitating agony. "She started having difficulty walking at the end of last year," Courtney P., Zelda's human mom, tells Waggle. "Zelda has narrowing in the vertebrae of her cervical spine. Meaning she is in constant pain and discomfort. Every step she takes sends shooting pain through her body." Surgery to help Zelda will ease her suffering. But Courtney is panicking because she doesn't have the money to pay for it. "Living on a fixed income has never stopped me from ensuring my pets have the best care possible," she says. "However, a procedure this extensive is too much for me to afford on my own. The thought of cutting Zelda's life short due to lack of finances is truly heartbreaking." Over the last year, Zelda has become an essential part of Courtney's family. "Zelda joined our clan last July after being juggled around for the first two years of her life. We are her fourth (and final) home. This sweet, gentle giant has finally found her place to land. She had no problem fitting right in with the other dogs, horse, cow, goats, and chickens," Courtney says. And Zelda doesn't seem to realize she is giant-sized. "Zelda enjoys playing with her many siblings. Her favorite being Ferdi, the miniature bull, and Macy the poodle mix. Even though she's over 100 lbs, no lap is too small for her to fit. She will crawl right up and snuggle. She is very much so a go-with-the-flow kind of girl. Before her diagnosis, she would put both feet on top of the built-in baby gates to get eye level to let you know it's snack time," Courtney says. If Courtney had to let Zelda go because she can't afford the operation, a massive part of her family would be missing. "Being the biggest of the bunch, Zelda is so incredibly gentle. She will lay on the floor to be level with her sisters and brothers for playtime. Her favorite way to greet you is by walking up and swinging her hind end around to lean into you, so you always have to be prepared, or she's going to take you down, and if that happens, get ready because here come the kisses." Please help Zelda live a life without pain!