Te Teko dog Molly has more energy than ever after receiving lifesaving surgery, thanks to the generosity of strangers, and now her owner would like to say thanks.

Karl Apihai told the Beacon late last year about how he was out of money to fund the surgery his six-year-old labrador-mastiff cross needed to treat an oesophageal stricture that prevented her from eating.

He set up a Givealittle fundraising page to help cover the almost $8000 surgery to place a stent in Molly’s throat, which allowed Mr Apihai to manually inflate a balloon dilator.

The community responded by donating $5000.

“I’m just blown away by everyone who has helped me,” Mr Apihai said.

“I just want to say thank you to everybody who made an effort to help out, donated, supported me, or went out of their way to share my story to get what I wanted, which was help.”

Mr Apihai said surgeons told him the procedure was a first in New Zealand and equipment had to be ordered from America.

Prior to the stent surgery, Mr Apihai took on a second job, drained his savings and took out loans to cover costs associated with three failed balloon dilation procedures using a different method.

Mr Apihai estimated he spent close to $25,000 saving his dog.

He said he did not care about money, he just cared about Molly.

In December, Molly was a very skinny and unwell dog who could not keep food down.

Two months ago, she weighed 20 kilograms. Now she is back up to a healthy weight of 26.5 kilograms and is more energetic than she has ever been.

Mr Apihai has since learned that Molly was overweight before she developed the stricture as a side effect from anaesthesia and acid reflux during a desexing surgery last year.

“Before surgery all she did was eat and sleep, but now all she does is try to tell me to take her for walks.

“She’s got her energy back and I think she feels like herself now. I don’t want to go back to her being overweight and lazy.”

Mr Apihai said he was grateful for the generosity of strangers because without their help, Molly would not be here.

“I go to bed every night and hug her and kiss her and think about what happened. I’m just so thankful and lucky to still have her, because of the Whakatāne community.”

Mr Apihai moved to Te Teko a year and a half ago after living in Te Puke for 15 years. He said he knew no one and was amazed at the response to his story.

“What an amazing place. What amazing people in Whakatāne to do this for me.”

He was even tracked down by a kuia from the Ōpōtiki District who felt a spiritual connection to Molly. She blessed them both and said they would be all right.

Mr Apihai said he was honoured by her actions.

Through his experience with Molly, Mr Apihai has learned the importance of both asking for help when you need it and getting pet insurance.

He said if he had pet insurance in the first place, he would not be in the situation he was last year.

Molly is now insured against illnesses other than the stricture, and Mr Apihai is looking toward the future.

“I think we are going to have a good life and a long life now, and that’s all I wanted.

“Our story doesn’t end here.”