A young Sydney couple have forked out more than $30,000 and even given up their rental property in order to save their sick puppy, Hunter.
Emily Leedham and Thomas Knight have vowed to do ‘anything it takes’ to find a permanent cure for their pooch, who suffers from aspiration pneumonia.
They purchased him together when he was eight weeks old, but just one month on, Hunter was in hospital, with vets saying he had a 20% chance of survival.
Now at 15 months old, the boxer cross requires monthly trips to the vets for X-Rays and daily antibiotics, just to keep him stable.
Emily Leedham and Thomas Knight (pictured) vowed to do everything in their power to find a permanent solution for Hunter (right) who suffers from aspiration pneumonia
Vets gave Hunter a 20% chance of survival after discovering his devastating condition
But the loving puppy parents say he is worth every cent, with Ms Leedham describing him as a ‘crazy pup’ who has ‘never understood he is sick’.
She says his loving and energetic character is what drives the couple to keep pursuing a permanent solution.
‘He is so full of love and life and I could never ever give up on him,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘He acts so normal and healthy and from the guarantee of his specialist, we know that this (his treatment) isn’t causing harm to him and that we have done such a great thing.’
Ms Leedham (pictured) described Hunter as a ‘crazy pup’ who has ‘never understood he is sick’
The loving puppy parents say their pooch is worth every cent (Mr Knight pictured with Hunter)
The young pup, who was also lovingly referred to as Spare Parts because of his mixed-bag of breeds, first raised alarm bells when he stopped moving and eating.
He was rushed to the vet, where the two 24-year-olds laid down $3,500 upfront with no guarantee the treatment would work.
Hunter later needed to have two diseased lobes from his lungs removed, forcing Ms Leedham and Mr Knight to take out a loan for the $9,500 surgery.
‘Hunter didn’t seem to realise he had major surgery and he was supposed to be resting, yet he was walking around 48 hours after the surgery like nothing was wrong,’ Ms Leedham said.
Hunter first raised alarm bells when he stopped moving and eating one month after being purchased by the couple
The two 24-year-olds laid down $3,500 upfront with no guarantee the treatment would work
The customer services consultant and construction worker, Mr Knight, have felt the sting of constant vet bills with them saving up to buy a house.
Not one month has passed without a vet visit, with the culmination of surgery, multiple X-Rays, a bronchoalveolar lavage and CT scans leaving the couple with no option but to move into Ms Leedham’s parents Emu Plains home.
Determined as ever to help free their puppy from suffering, the pair say no dollar amount could ever stop them from their mission.
‘We are really hoping someone may have a solution or idea to treat him, being as cost effective as possible,’ Ms Leedham said.
‘If we have to raise the money or take (out) another loan, we will.’
Donations towards Hunter’s treatment can be made to the couple’s Go Fund Me page.
The customer services consultant and construction worker, Mr Knight, have felt the sting of constant vet bills with them saving up to buy a house
The pair say no dollar amount could ever stop them from their mission to find a cure for Hunter