My Poor Baby Dog

Okay...our chocolate lab, Sargeant, is currently undergoing surgery for a torn ACL. He hasn't been able to walk well for quite awhile. My mother and various others think I am crazy for paying for this surgery when it is so much cheaper just to put the dog down. I just can't do that! He has over half of his life left, as long as he stays out of the way of speeding vehicles. Okay, so this money could be used to help out somewhere else...but it is my baby dog! I doubt any of you would do anything any differently...right?