Edinburgh firefighter launches desperate bid to save well-loved dog Winston

An Edinburgh firefighter is trying to raise £12,000 to save his beloved dog's life.

Golden retriever Winston, 8, suffers from bilateral hip dysplasia as well as arthritis in his hocks.

Daniel's wife Tyler Johnston brought Winston from America when she moved to Scotland, but had issues accessing insurance in the UK due to the retriever suffering from previous leg issues.

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Winston’s health has unfortunately now deteriorated and his owners are desperate for him to receive hip replacement surgery to return him back to health.

Their dog has had to move down south to stay with Daniel’s parents as he is no longer able to use the stairs at their home.

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Daniel and Tyler said Winston was their first child and they want their 19-month-old son, Jack, to grow up with his ‘best friend.”

“Winston moved from America along with my wife,” he said. “He was insured in the States and received treatment for a different issue on his legs but because of this the insurance in the UK argue it is a pre-existing condition.

“So insurance won’t cover it. Winston is my wife’s link to home and he has become best friends with our son already.

“He has even become a bit of a local celebrity. Neighbours come to see him at the gate and he has almost a schedule of visitors.

“He is very sociable and is quite the character with his big fur coat.”

Winston has been a constant in Tyler’s life and the couple are now doing everything they can to raise the £12,000 which would allow him to walk again.

They fear if he cannot get a hip replacement operation then he will not be able to function.

“We’ve had to move him down south for now to live with my parents,” Daniel added. “He cannot go up and down stairs.

“He cannot go out for long walks but he doesn’t understand when you leave the house without him. We want him to grow up with our son so they can play together and be best friends.

“We are about 25 per cent of the way there with our fundraiser and have spent thousands ourselves on consultations and medication. Money will cover the cost of the surgery but of course we will pay for the rehab and physio after.

“He is such an integral member of our family and was our first child. He is in a lot of pain at the moment and randomly collapses.

“His loss would be devastating for the whole family. He is so well loved by everyone in our lives.

“Winston has had such a big impact on the lives of so many people and life would not be the same without him.”

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Daniel has created an Instagram page for Winston’s health journey, to follow click here.

To support the GoFundMe for Winston’s operation, click here.