A Madison woman whose pet dog, Pudgy, saved her life is now fighting to return the favor after he was diagnosed with a degenerative heart condition.

Jacquelyn Garofano, 38, who suffers from clinical depression and anxiety, rescued the plucky beagle from a shelter just under ten years ago - little realizing that he was also going to rescue her too.

'I really do think that he’s saved my life on a daily basis,' Jaquelyn said. 'I might not be here if it weren’t for him.' Now she must return the favor - and she needs help to do it.

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Saved: Jacquelyn Garofano, 38, rescued Pudgy the beagle almost ten years ago - but he rescued her, too, helping her deal with clinical depression and anxiety

Hero: Pudgy also helps Jacquelyn go outside and deal with social situations, and even helped her come to terms with the death of her mother, Veronica (right), from breast cancer in 2014

Jacquelyn and Pudgy met when she was in a dark place - her long-time ambition to become a social worker had fallen through, and the depression and anxiety she had suffered for a long time had her in its grasp.

Looking for a companion, she came across Pudgy on a rescue website, and intrigued by his description as 'funny' she decided to meet the then-five-month-old puppy - and was immediately charmed.

'You can’t meet him and not fall in love with this dog,' she said. 'He was very funny, very silly, and has such a sweet, lighthearted attitude about him, it was easy to take him home.'

Although he started off a playful, rambunctious puppy, Jacquelyn discovered a new side to him when he was around one year old, after a catastrophic argument with her then-boyfriend left her shaken and miserable.

Pudgy sensing that she was distraught, jumped up on her lap. 'He was shaking a little bit and he wasn’t sure what I was feeling, and I hugged him. He was upset because I was upset, so I calmed down for his sake.'

The times after that, though, Pudgy didn't shake at all: Having assumed the role of Jacquelyn's protector, he will drop what he's doing to and calmly lick and cuddle her until she is grounded again.

'His whole energy changes,' she said, 'he becomes serious and calms me.' And once the storm has passed, he goes back to being a goofy little pup.

Transformation: Jacquelyn says Pudgy transforms from a goofy, silly dog into a calm and soulful rock the moment he realizes she is suffering from anxiety or a depressive episode

Illness: Jacquelyn has raised Pudgy from a pup (pictured) but in May he was diagnosed with a degenerative heart problem. She must raise $36,000 to fly him to France for help

He's also helped her overcome anxiety about going outside, and gives her confidence in social situations.

Pudgy even helped Jacquelyn get through her darkest moment, when her mom, Veronica, passed away in May 2014 after her breast cancer spread to her lungs.

In May, however, Pudgy received a shock diagnosis: Degenerative congestive heart failure. The valves in his heart no longer work properly.

And for Jacqueline, monitoring his condition - which includes difficulty breathing - brings back terrible memories of seeing her own mother in her final days.

Determined: Now the Pudgy needs her, she is doing everything she can to save him. She has set up a GoFundMe account, but says she'll sacrifice anything for his health

But Pudgy is strong, she says, and there's an excellent chance he will live a full life if she can get him an operation.

Not just any operation, however: Pudgy's specific condition will take a six-to-ten-hour marathon surgery that can only be performed by three experts at Clinique Veterinaire Bozon in Versailles, France.

That's why Jacquelyn is now seeking to raise $36,000 on her GoFundMe page - $30,000 for the operation alone, and the rest to keep the pair in France while he recovers.

It's a lot of money, but GoFundMe or no, Jacquelyn is determined to make it happen - no matter what she has to give up.

'I found a treasure when I found Pudgy,' she says. 'I feel lucky to have held on to him all these years, and I feel like he deserves a happy life after he’s done so much for me.

'He deserves to be happy and have everything done for him that’s possible. I will make every sacrifice I can to save him, because that’s what he means to me - he’s the greatest friend I could ever have asked for.'