A “LIFE-SAVING” rescue dog from Stratford who helped her owner through her darkest mental health moments is in desperate need of surgery – and her family can’t afford to help her.
Lauren de Lancey, from Stratford, has set up a gofundme page in a bid to raise the cash needed to get her seven-year-old Staffy Wilma back on her feet.
Wilma was recently diagnosed with severe arthritis in her elbow, along with a painful fissure (a small fracture) in the joint. As a result she is struggling to walk, play, and do the things she loves most.
A vet has recommended arthroscopy surgery to properly assess and treat the damage inside the joint and give her the best possible chance at a pain-free life. Without it, her condition will continue to worsen and her quality of life will decline.
But Wilma’s pet insurance is now fully maxed out, leaving her family with no financial way to cover the cost of this urgent procedure after spending thousands to even get it diagnosed.
Lauren said: “We are reaching out during one of the hardest moments our family has ever faced. Our seven-year-old Staffy is not just a pet she is the heart of our home, our constant companion, and a dog who truly saved us just as much as we saved her.
“She was rescued into our family after a difficult start in life, and since then she has blossomed into the most loving, gentle, loyal soul you could ever meet. She follows us from room to room, comforts us on our worst days, and brings joy and laughter into every part of our lives. She is family in every sense of the word.”
Lauren continued: “We are not asking lightly. This is truly a last resort. But we cannot stand by and watch her suffer when there may still be a chance to give her comfort, mobility, and many more happy years with her family.
“Any donation, no matter how small, would mean the world to us and would go directly towards her surgery, treatment, and recovery care.
“She’s saved my life through some really serious mental health struggles. There have been times where I genuinely don’t think I would’ve made it through without her. She gave me a reason to get up, to keep going, and to stay grounded when everything felt like too much. She’s not just a dog, she’s been my emotional support through it all.”
Visit www.gofundme.com/f/help-with-wilmas-surgery to donate.
