I never thought I would be "one of those people" who treats their pet like a child. Then, my dog got sick. Max was fine one day and could barely walk the next. I took him to the veterinarian where he was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease. We were referred to a surgery center in Rochester. It was imperative that Max have surgery within the first 24 hours of the onset of paralysis. They needed to relieve the pressure on his spine. It can be a very stressful decision. The surgery would cost close to $8,000. Luckily, I found out it would be covered by pet insurance. Max is recovering from surgery. He needs help walking, but doctors are hopeful he will get full function back.