Anyone who knows Connor or I knows we adore our dogs. They're our family, our children. So safe to say we were both devastated to recently receive the news that despite out best efforts, Odin's hip dysplacia has significantly worsened. No one wants to look at their one year old puppy and hear a vet say that without a very expensive operation, one way out of your own budget, that you should prepare to lose him before he is 5 years old, that without the operation his pain will increase over time to the point that no pain relief will be enough and difficult decisions will have to be made. Odin is the sweetest, most loving dog. He loves other dogs, kids, all people - everyone he meets. I can't imagine our home without him bounding to the door when we get home, playfully chasing our cats, or waking us up in the morning by lying on us for cuddles! At the moment, his condition is managed with pain relief and careful diet and routine. He has strong painkillers twice a day, and he can only be taken for short 10 to 15 minute walks. We monitor his diet carefully to keep his weight down, and give joint care supplements. His vet has recommended he starts hydrotherapy to help build the muscles in his legs, and he has his 1st appointment for this on 12th December. It's a catch 22 - he needs strong muscles to help support him because his bones just can't, but we can't walk him far because it increases the damage to his hips and causes him pain. The hydrotherapy is needed - it will help build muscle and also ease any pain he may be in. This all comes at a cost though. We've also asked for referrals to specialist vets because even though the hydrotherapy will help meantime - it will not change the inevitable. We await quotes for his operation at the moment, but we have been told to expect up to £5,000 per hip (and both are equally bad). There'll also be the travel to the hospital for consultations and the operation itself - there are no specialist orthopaedic vets in or around Aberdeen, so his operation will take place in Stirling, Fife or Glasgow - but ask any dog owner what value they'd put on the love, loyalty and companionship they receive from their pet - and they'll tell you that it's priceless. If we had that money in our bank, there would be no question - it would go on Odin's treatment - but we don't, so that's why we're reaching out for help from you -our family, our friends, anyone who loves Odin's breed, or dogs in general, anyone who knows what it's like to lose a pet, anyone who knows the love of a dog. We know it's such hard times for so many people, and it's a terrible time of year to ask for financial support - but the sooner we start fundraising, the sooner we can get Odin the help he needs. So if you do have a few pounds spare, if there's anything you can do to help, even if it's just sharing our page - we would be so grateful for that, as would Odin.