hip dysplasia

About 6 months ago I noticed that Boo Boo was a bit more lethargic than usual. He wasn't getting up in the morning wanting to be let out. It lasted a couple days. Then the next morning when he tried to get up he cried. He started to try to move without actually getting up, by either scooting in the sit position, or crawling. I went to the vet and set up an appt for xrays a couple days later. The next morning was even worse. He was SCREAMING in pain when he tried to move. I was crying myself, seeing him in such pain. I reached my hand toward his hip, as my hand barely grazed his fur, he SCREAMED and lunged at me in pain. At that moment the vet called to remind me of my appt the following day. I told them what was going on and they were able to get me in that day for xrays. I had a problem, I lived upstairs and had to try to get my dog (who weighs as much as I do) downstairs and into my Firebird. We eventually managed that and he had the xrays done. My worst fears were confirmed. He has "severe" hip dysplasia. The dr. rated it as an 8 on a 1-10 scale. Both hips are bad, one slightly worse than the other. He's also developed arthritis around the joints to try to hold the bone in the socket (which is practically nonexistent). He put him on Deramaxx and glucosamine. He said that it's just to buy time, but that some dogs are able to go their whole lives on that borrowed time. I, however have my doubts that with the severity and size of my dog, that he would be able to live the rest of his life without needing the total hip replacement surgery. And I still believe there is a degree of pain that he deals with even on the medication. I'd like to get him the surgery soon, while he's still young, so he can enjoy a normal life without pain. My new years resolution is to save enough money to get him this surgery. I would love to hear from anyone who's been through this with their dog. And if anyone knows of some kind of financial assistance. I doubt he'd be eligible, at this point, for health insurance.