Support a Teacher's Beloved ESA Dog, Pepper

Hi, my name is Gracie. I have had and loved dogs my entire life, and Pepper is the best dog I have ever had. She is my registered Emotional Support Animal, and she is the smartest, most athletic dog I've ever had the pleasure to care for.

Pepper has gotten me through life-threatening mental illness, surgeries, and traumatic life events, just to name a few things. She is truly my best friend in the whole world... and now, it has come time for me to give back to her.

Being the athletic dog she is, Pepper's absolute favorite thing in the world is to run. She especially loves to chase balls and run super fast! However, as she has aged, this has become increasingly hard on her body, particularly her ACL.

Pepper's ACL has been degenerating for about a year and a half. She limps after running on it, and recently (a few days ago), she tweaked it so badly that since then she has been unable to use her back right leg at all. I have taken her to the vet to see what to do about this, as it keeps getting worse. The vet informed me that she will need cruciate ligament surgery, but this surgery is extremely cost-prohibitive to me, as I am on a teacher's salary. I am worried that if I don't get this surgery done, she will also blow out her other ACL.

This has been extremely heartbreaking to watch, since Pepper is my best friend. She has been confined to the indoors, unable to take walks or play ball. She doesn't understand what's going on and is in pain. I currently have her on joint supplements and painkillers to help, but she seems to be a bit depressed since she can't do what she loves.

I would literally do anything for Pepper, but I am genuinely unable to help her. I have looked into credit cards, but I cannot get the credit limit I would need to pay for this surgery.

This is why I've made a GoFundMe. Pepper is a huge part of my life, and it would kill me to leave her in pain like this, especially since it could result in her other ACL going out as well, leaving her unable to walk entirely. I've never done anything like this or asked for donations to help my cause, but if there is any time to do it or anyone to do it for, it's for her.

Please consider donating even just a small amount to help me get this life-changing surgery for my best friend. Even a $1 or $5 donation helps! As I said, I am on a very limited salary as I am a teacher, so anything to go towards this cause helps! With my 30th birthday coming up next month, you can consider it a gift to me! Skip the presents, and donate to this campaign instead!

These funds will be used to get Pepper the TPLO surgery she needs!