Please help Choc to have a happy, healthy, pain free life.

Choc has been my dad's best friend since he was 8 weeks old, he is now 11 years and 3 months old, and they have lived through a lot together. My dad asked me to help him try and raise some money for Choc to have some essential surgery. I will now leave it with dad to tell their story.

I fell in love with Choc when I first saw him at just a few hours old. Her was the first born and largest of a litter of 6 Patterdale Terrier puppies. He was obviously a chocolate brown colour when he was born and for the first few years of his life, but that has changed now and he is more mink in colour with odd white hairs scattered around his body. He was the first one to approach me and lick my hand after his eyes first opened, and from that point our lives were joined together.

As a Patterdale he has the most amazing character and is the bravest little ( but large for a Patterdale) dog I have ever known, he never backs down, whatever challenge he faces. He is a great working dog and no rat is safe with him around. If you have any vermin problems, Choc will solve it! On one occasion he even managed to run about 8 feet up a tree after a squirrel, tearing open his dew claws as he slipped back down the trunk. Choc loves water and we have spent many a holiday in the Lake District or on the Cornish coast where he can swim until he can swim no more. On one occasion in Cornwall he dived into the sea from a harbour wall, which caused all sorts of panic until he surfaced and simply swam to some steps and climbed out. Absolutely nothing phases this dog!

Whilst Choc is 'as hard as nails', he is also the most loving, affectionate and loyal dog I have ever owned and is always up for a good long cuddle should the opportunity arise. If he thinks I am ignoring him, he soon tells me about it, growling and pawing at me until I give him the attention he demands and deserves.

Choc has always had good health but whilst out on a walk in May his left leg suddenly collapsed under him. I took him to my vet and after x-rays etc it was discovered he had snapped his cruciate ligaments. He was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon who discovered he had also damaged the cruciates in his right knee and has been in pain for quite some time, although he has never shown it until he collapsed, which makes me feel so guilty. Choc is insured and the surgery to his left knee has proved to be very successful indeed. However, insurance companies being what they are, mine has refused to pay for the surgery he needs to his right knee saying that both knees come under one claim and they have paid out the £3000 limit per claim. The scheduled surgery will cost £3000 and there will be other charges for follow up treatment. I have some savings which I have already allocated to Choc but still find myself about £1000 short of the cost of the surgery alone. My only income is a basic state pension so I don't have any money to spare on a week to week basis, hence this appeal.

Choc is not just my dog, he is my best friend and my companion, I even call him my son and he is very dear to me. There is just him and me living in my bungalow and he is a lifeline for me, in fact he keeps me sane and that takes some doing! I want him to enjoy the rest of his life pain free as he so rightly deserves. In good health I would expect him to live for another 5 years at least. I think I owe him the chance of a healthy, happy, pain free life after all the love, loyalty, fun and pleasure he has given me over the past eleven years, don't you?

Please help if you can, I will be eternally grateful.