Family's plight to save Shadow the dog from euthanasia

Shadow has been a loyal furry family member to mum, Pippa Perks, her seven-year-old son  Oliver Davies, and her partner Daniel Brocklehurst as well as his 19-year-old daughter Mia and their seven-month-old daughter, Gabriela.

However, Shadow suddenly suffered an injury on August 6 and the family has been scrabbling for funds to try to save him ever since.

Shadow has been with the family for eight years.

The eight-year-old Jack Russell fell poorly and appeared "hunched over" after lying down in the garden before he started yelping in pain.

The family quickly rushed Shadow to the vets but he was in too much pain for a proper diagnosis to be given and was instead sent home with painkillers.

The vet then booked Shadow in for an MRI scan which revealed the poor pup was suffering from a slipped disc which can be rectified through surgery.

However, while Pippa's pet insurance can cover the £4,000 fee for the MRI scan, bloods, medication and Shadow's overnight stay at the vets, it won't cover the additional £5,000 needed for the surgery itself.

Oliver with his selection of items to sell.

The family have since been in turmoil trying to raise the additional funds with mum, Oliver and Mia each taking it upon themselves to find ways to urgently fundraise the money and prevent Shadow from being put down.

However, with each passing day, Shadow is deteriorating and is in a lot of pain.

He can't walk or stand without falling over.

The 29-year-old mum said: "It's horrible seeing him like this.

"All he wants to do is play with his ball.

"He is a loving and very happy dog who loves to cuddle.

The family are desperately trying to raise funds to save Shadow.

"He is so gentle with the children and watches them sleep.

"But I had to tell (the vets) to stop as I couldn't afford the surgery after finding out the insurance doesn't cover that much."

Oliver and Shadow when they were both much younger.

The family believe the surgery is desperately needed for the little dog and that the operation will give him a new lease of life.

"He will back to his normal life as his happy bouncy self, with no after repercussions.

"He is a healthy dog - there is no way I could put him down.

"After all, he is a living thing. You wouldn't put a human down because they had a back problem and he should be treated the same."

Shadow is a "loving and very happy dog".

Determined not to let Shadow down, Oliver, who has grown increasingly upset to see his furry friend's condition worsen, has taken it upon himself to set up a 'garage sale' outside his home to flog his toys and homemade cakes in a bid to raise money for the surgery.

"Oliver is eight in October - they are the same age and have grown up together.

"He is very upset and keeps telling me Shadow has fallen or to look at his leg.

"Oliver loves playing with him and will try to sneak him upstairs to his bedroom, and he knows the dogs can't go upstairs, but he is worried about him and is upset.

"He just wants him to feel better."

So far, Oliver's efforts have contributed £80 towards the surgery - and he is planning on setting another garage sale up next Saturday, too.

Step-daughter Mia is also heartbroken by the news and has been selling items on eBay to raise money.

Meanwhile, Pippa, who is a photographer by trade, is also selling items online, organising raffle prizes and will stage an animal photography shoot, the proceeds of which will all go towards Shadow's Go Fund Me treatment page.

At the time of writing, the family have raised £3,360 for Shadow's surgery.

Anyone who wishes to donate can do so by searching 'Shadow' on Go Fund Me or by clicking this link here.