A Macclesfield dog owner has praised her fellow Maxonians for donating £1,160 towards a life-saving operation for her pet.

Macclesfield taxi driver Katie Faina has expressed her gratitude to 40 people who donated to her crowdfunder to get her dog Lisa vet treatment for cancer.

Female mongrel Lisa required a full left line mammary mastectomy, and has just had her operation on Thursday September 1.

Generous animal lovers of Macclesfield and beyond have donated £1,160 of the £1,500 goal to pay for Lisa's surgery.

Katie (far right), who was born in England and is half-English and half-Italian, has been a taxi driver for a decade. She rescued mongret mutt Lisa in Italy.

"Lisa is about thirteen years old", said Katie.

"I got her from the roadside when she was two years old.

"She is from Italy, where I have lived in the past as my mother is English and my father is Italian.

"One day I was driving back home and she started chasing me.

This paw-some pooch went under the knife on Thursday.

"I drove home and she was really fast following me. When I got home, I opened the car door and this dog was so happy to see me.

"The first thing I noticed was how gorgeous she was. She was jumping in the car and started kissing me.

"And even though she was all dirty, I thought I don't care, I want her for me.

"So after trying to see if she had an owner, I adopted her."

Macclesfield: Lisa had the operation at Wright & Morten Vets on 38 Cumberland Street.

The two formed an instant bond, with Lisa waiting patiently every day for Katie to come home from work.

A few years later, they then travelled over 1300 miles north to move to Macclesfield, with a friend of Katie's driving Lisa over.

Sadly, in recent months she was diagnosed with mammary cancer.

But thanks to a crowdfunder, the operation has almost fully been paid for.

Lisa won an award for third-best rescue dog in Macclesfield a few years ago.

"I couldn't believe so many people were willing to help pay for the operation", added Katie.

"It makes me cry. Thank you for helping us so much to make Lisa still be with me, and solve this problem.

"I would do it myself if I could [afford it].

"Lisa is always smiling, and now she can smile for a little longer."

Esdaw stats reveal there are over 600,000 stray dogs roaming free in Italy and only 33% are caught and taken into kennels, in the hopes of finding a home like Lisa did.

Lisa loves to go on walks at South Park or on King Edward Street.

Sadly, she does not go on many works anymore with her advanced age and current condition.

Her favourite things to eat are vegetables such as sprouts. She also loves chasing squirrels and rats.

She is also fascinated with hedgehogs.

Did you know: Dogs have five mammary glands? Mammary cancer is one of the most frequent cancers poor dogs like Lisa are afflicted with.

Mammary cancer is one of the most common cancers dogs face.

An American study found 50% of dogs with mammary cancer go on to have an 'excellent prognosis'.

So fingers and toes are crossed for Lisa to make a full post-op recovery.

Macclesfield: You can still donate to help cover the costs of the operation by clicking here.

The cancer was caught in the early stages. And she has no metastasis. Here's hoping for a full recovery.

See Also: Meet the artist behind Macclesfield's new Charles Tunnicliffe-inspired mural 

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