family-feel-tri-939757

A family are appealing for help to save their beloved puppy which needs two hip replacements. See SWNS story SWSYpuppy. Sophie and Paul McDonnell bought their black-lab Maya six months ago but quickly realised their pup wasn't well. Their new pet was riddled with worms and less than half her expected weight. And, they later learned, she has a birth defect which will soon have her unable to move around. Vets at two animal hospitals have told the family Maya needs two full hip replacements at a cost of £14,000. The poor pooch is popping six pain-pills a day on top of a liquid painkiller, can't climb the stairs or squat to go to the loo. The family can't pay and the large amount isn't covered by their insurance so, fearing for her life, they've started a fund-raiser. Sophie, who works in customer relations, said: "It's heart-breaking: she's such a loving and fun dog: it's horrible to see her in so much pain.