Foster raising funds to help puppy with bad knees

BRICK -- A local volunteer for Peyton's Place Animal Rescue has created a fundraiser to help one of the puppies that she is fostering. Jerry is an 8-month-old puppy that needs critical surgery on his knees.

Kimmy Lou fosters several dogs, including Jerry, who was recently diagnosed with bilateral luxating patella. It is a painful condition where his knee caps pop out randomly and compromise his ability to walk and be active. Without surgery, his condition will only worsen.

The success of treatment declines with the passing of each day. His right knee is Grade 3 out of 4, and his left knee is Grade 2. The surgery costs between $2,000-$4,000 per knee, and he will need nine weeks of recovery and followup care.

Jerry was rescued from a hoarding situation where he was neglected and starved. The emaciated little puppy was transported to Lou, who took care of him. He was scared, but Lou was certain that he was on his way to a better life after receiving the food and love he so desperately needed.

He was soon adopted, but then returned six months later by his adopters because household dynamics had changed. A baby was on the way and another dog the adopters had was aggressive toward Jerry. So, Lou took Jerry back despite caring for five foster dogs already.

"I couldn't let Jerry go to a place that was unfamiliar after losing his family. Again, he found himself in a place where he was scared and uncertain for his future," she said.

However, Lou noticed that Jerry was now limping.

"I thought maybe he just hurt his muscle being a little rambunctious and overly excited to be with his old buddies again."

She took Jerry to a vet and heard negative news about his bad knees and that he would need surgery. She got a second opinion from another vet and received the same diagnosis. As a result, Jerry was put on medical hold and cannot be adopted until he gets surgery and rehabilitative therapy.

The rescue has exhausted all of its funds taking care of other dogs with life-threatening issues. While Jerry's condition is not life threatening, it is painful to see the puppy limp in discomfort.

"I am the only constant he has known in his life, and he looks at me with his sad eyes like, 'Please help me.' It is sad to see him in pain," she said.

Lou added, "The only thing I can do is manually pop his knee back in when he comes to me limping with his leg stuck. This is no way to live for an 8-month-old pup who just wants to run and play."

Once Jerry is on the mend, he will be available for adoption again. To learn more or to donate toward Jerry's surgery, please visit the fundraiser at https://www.facebook.com/donate/493282554818962/493282581485626/.