Gus

About the Campaign

Gus is a big, 1-year-old male Bulldog/Catahoula Heeler mix who has injured both knees and been diagnosed with torn CCLs (the main stabilizing ligaments in the knee). At his age, this is especially heartbreaking—Gus should be running, playing, and growing into his body, not limping and struggling to stand. His family wants to move forward with surgery as soon as possible so he doesn’t spend his “puppy year” in pain or develop early arthritis from unstable joints.

Maya says they never saw one clear moment where it happened. Gus’s limp began about 6–7 months ago. At first they waited a couple of days, hoping it was a minor sprain, but he didn’t bounce back. He struggled to get up easily and continued limping, and eventually the diagnosis came: torn CCLs. When a dog’s knee is unstable, the joint keeps shifting with every step—causing pain now and long-term damage later.

Gus came into Maya’s life through a Facebook Marketplace litter about a year ago. They had been wanting a dog for months, and when Gus popped up on her feed, he stood out immediately—his bright blue eyes had them set on him before they even met him. They paid $750 to bring him home, and he quickly became the center of their home and routine.

Now Maya and her boyfriend, Conner (21), are doing their best, but the cost of orthopedic surgery—especially for two knees—is more than they can cover alone. Maya works as a server and is also in school training to become a medical assistant, with hopes of eventually becoming a nurse. Conner is a plumber. They have been living on their own for only about seven months and are still building stability. They applied for financing and were declined, and they simply can’t come up with the full amount up front.

They also have another young dog, Rory—an 8-month-old Red Heeler adopted from the shelter—so their household costs are already tight. Despite everything, they’re determined not to delay Gus’s care, because every month that passes with torn CCLs is another month of pain and joint damage.

Donations will help cover Gus’s CCL surgery and related veterinary care so his knees can be stabilized and he can grow up with comfort and mobility. All donations are paid only to the veterinarian. Estimate below click to enlarge: