My name is Henry and this is my story. It's a sad one so get a tissue, but hopefully with your help it will have a happy ending.

I am 2 years old. I am a German Shepherd Dog. I love my life now but it wasn't always like this.

I was born with a problem called dysplasia. This makes my hips and elbows hurt a bit and they don't work properly like most other dogs. As a little puppy boy I went to live with a family and we were happy. They loved me and I loved them too. Then they found out about the dysplasia problem and didn't want me anymore. My family put me up for adoption through a rescue and the people there tried to find me a home.

My family were fed up of waiting for another special family to adopt me. They wanted me to go but we still had to wait. They didn't want to so they asked a vet to put me to sleep. They weren't the vets that had been helping me with my dysplasia but new ones. I don't think my family wanted my vet to know what was going on. They told the new vet that I had nipped a child and they wanted me to go to sleep. The new vet was not happy with this and wanted to see if I could find another home. They contacted German Shepherd Dog Rescue.

The people from GSDR took me under their wing and to a safe place where no one could hurt me. I was very very scared. Whenever anyone came near me I showed them my big teeth and made lots of noise. I didn't scare them though and they stuck with me. They were kind and helped me understand that I didn't need to be afraid. Soon we were out playing. I loved it running around playing tig. I made the kind people laugh. One brought children and I loved them. I cried to go and see them. I'm not a bad boy. I didn't bite a child. My family made it up so I could be put to sleep out of their way.

Not long since the GSDR ladies who helped me found out that my family had lied. They found out I had this dysplasia problem and I wasn't having treatment for it. They were very upset and sad for me. They have been in touch with the old vet and found out all about it. My family didn't tell them. I think it's because they were too ashamed of what they were trying to do to me when the new vet stopped them.

I have a lovely warm home now. I am loved by them as well as the rescue people. I am so lucky. But I am only 2 and I am going lame. I need treatment urgently while it may still help. I want to be able to walk in the woods with my new family. I never used to go out before and there's a whole world out there for a boy like me to explore.

The rescue people are going to help me. One of them is running a long way to get some money for me. She's going to wear a tshirt with my picture on it. How great is that! Please give a little bit of money for my treatment if you can spare it. It will all go to me and making me better so I can walk in the woods for lots of years. Lots of people love me now and they want me to have a happy life. I'm lucky enough to have a second chance. Please help me.

Lots of love and licks, Henry xxx