kmarla:
I picked up this brochure the other week when I was seeing my specialist.
Veterinary Financing. Payments to suit your budget.
www.petcard.ca
You may want to check this out. Also have you considered a line of credit? If you have a good credit rating, you could get prime +1-2% above prime for the most qualified borrowers.
Also I do urge you to consider Boston and price out the surgery there (if they have the parts), I do know this is a heck of a lot of investigation when your heart and your mind aches for the well being of Piper.
You can often get surgery much less expensive in the US and right now our dollar to US is not such a bad exchange rate. And motel and food and gas is much cheaper in the US than in Canada.
I do know the pain of a sick puppy/adult. The extreme medical decisions and the costs associated with them is such an individual decision. You will make the right decision for your Piper and your family.
My heart and very best wishes goes out to you and Piper.