Ariel first surgery 2023: Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon Luxation

Meet my beloved, kindest, and smartest girl — Ariel (Esa). We rescued her when she was just two months old, and from that very first day she became our true ray of sunshine. Ariel is gentle, deeply attached to her people, and incredibly intelligent. She’s even a bit of a polyglot — responding to commands in both Russian and English, which always makes people smile.

For five wonderful years, Ariel lived a carefree, happy life. She ran, played, loved the beach, and filled our home with joy. Then, slowly and quietly, things began to change.

It started with a slight limp after a beach day. At first, I didn’t think much of it. I assumed she was tired or sore from running in the sand. But the limp didn’t go away. Over time, it became more noticeable, more frequent, and more concerning.

After multiple veterinary visits and evaluations, Ariel was diagnosed with Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon Luxation in her right rear hock.

This condition means that a tendon in the back of her ankle joint had slipped out of its normal position, causing pain, instability, and difficulty walking. Without treatment, it can worsen over time and lead to chronic pain or permanent joint damage.

By the end of 2023, surgery was the only option to restore stability and allow her to walk without pain. Ariel underwent her first major orthopedic surgery, which cost $5,000.

The surgery itself was only the beginning.

What followed were eight long weeks of rehabilitation. Ariel is extremely attached — almost like a small child — and she could not be left alone. We live in a second-floor condo, which meant no elevators, no shortcuts. Every bathroom break, every short walk, meant carrying an 80-pound dog up and down the stairs multiple times a day. My back still reminds me of that period.

She was not allowed to run, jump, or play. Walks were restricted to 5–15 minutes, strictly controlled. Every step had to be monitored. Every day required patience, planning, and emotional strength.

During the surgery, the veterinarian repositioned the displaced tendon back into its natural groove and secured it so it would stay in place. This allowed the joint to heal properly and restored stability to her leg — but recovery required time, discipline, and constant care.

We did everything we could — because Ariel is not “just a dog.” She is family.

Since then, Ariel has faced three surgeries in total. Each one was medically necessary. Each one was emotionally devastating. And each one added to overwhelming medical expenses.

Below, I have included documents for transparency:

• Invoice for Ariel’s first surgery (2023)

• Post-operative medical report for her first surgery

We fully covered Ariel’s first two surgeries ourselves when we were financially stable. Unfortunately, our situation changed drastically in October 2025, when my husband lost his job, reducing our household income by more than half.

At this point, my income is our only source of support. My bi-weekly take-home pay is approximately $2,400, which is not sufficient to cover our essential monthly expenses, including:

• Mortgage: $3,163

• HOA fees: $531

• Health insurance: $543 (Covered California)

• Groceries and food

• Car insurance: $573

• Utilities: $300–$400

In addition, I am still paying $393 per month for Ariel’s second surgery (TPLO), with the final payment due in May 2026.

If you are able to help with Ariel’s recovery after her third surgery and the ongoing medical bills, here is our GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/74ba905a4