Jason Garrett is doing what most dog owners would never do. He is cashing out his entire retirement savings in order to pay for his dog’s life-saving surgery.
Garrett’s 12-year-old miniature Schnauzer, Lola, was given 8 months to live after being diagnosed with mitral valve disease.
The disease is common in dogs and affects their lungs and heart.
“We had an episode in November where she came back from a walk and she fainted … She has an enlarged heart because she has a damaged mitral valve,” Garrett told KGO-TV.
After the heartbreaking diagnosis, Garrett heard about an open-heart procedure that a Japanese doctor Masami Uechi had done. After doing a bit more research, he learned that only a few surgeons in the world know how to do the techniques required – and it’s expensive!
“The downside is it’s about $45,000,” he told KGO-TV. “I’ve already cashed out my 401K and using every penny of my savings, and I’m also looking into selling my car if need be.”
Lola will be having surgery done this summer while Uechi is at the University of Florida.
Garrett explained on his GoFundMe page that he struggles with severe depression and bipolar disorder and that his dog helps him “survive and thrive.”
“As you can imagine I would do absolutely anything to save her.”
