paws for support

In the run up to the festive season, that run often feels like a sprint over the finish line to the end of year. When I’m able to carve out some time, I like to pause, or in this case paws, to think about others in need. In this case, a small, newly formed charity, Dedicated To Dachshunds. They provided invaluable support to us through the ongoing rehabilitation of one of our YogaDogs, Fudge.

For those that don’t know, Fudge has a condition called intervertebral disc disease. It’s a degenerative condition that affects around 1 in 4 dachshunds. What happens is that the discs that sit between the vertebrae of the spine bulge or burst in the affected areas along the spinal cord.

The symptoms of IVDD can vary ranging from mild pain to paralysis. Sadly for Fudge, she experienced the latter. Just before bed one night in the summer, she came back in after her last wee, sat down on the carpet and couldn’t get back up. We will never forget the look of fear in her eyes.

Thankfully, YogaMum had read about IVDD and immediately this could have been it, so called the emergency vets. Within 15 minutes Fudge was being whisked off to Highcroft Vets and ended up having surgery on the damaged discs. Fudge had a scar along the length of her spine. When she first came home we had to loop a harness under her belly to prop her up as she dragged her legs along.

Then followed a lengthy rehabilitation process. Every morning after yoga or a workout, I would head out into the garden and do Fudge’s physio. Initially, it was mainly mobility exercises for her front and back legs. Over time, we begun to incorporate a yoga block to help her build strength back up again.

This was where Dedicated to Dachshunds came in. We wanted to be able to give Fudge a change of scenery from the garden. At the time, Fudge could barely walk a step before having to sit down. YogaMum had read about Dedicated to Dachshunds through a Facebook group, so got in touch. They loaned us a pet stroller so that we could start taking Fudge out for short ‘walks’. The only cost to us was the delivery fees for the pet stroller. By covering this cost ourselves meant that Dedicated to Dachshunds was able to use more of its money to invest in equipment for owners of IVDD dogs.

Fudge loved being out in the pet stroller – strapped in, she would sit proudly towards the front, taking in all the sights and sounds she used to enjoy on daily walks. It felt like we had gone back in time, using a pushchair again, but it meant that for Fudge she had regained a sense of freedom again.

We’re now able to take Fudge out on short walks again, thanks in no small part to extensive rehabilitation – including through Chapel Farm who have been providing hydrotherapy treatment.

Having now returned the pet stroller to Dedicated to Dachshunds, and in the spirit of giving this festive season, we are doing some fundraising for the charity. For my final Yoga for Men class of the year in Bristol on 19th December, I will be donating all profits from the night to the charity. It’s the least we can do for the charity and the invaluable support they provide to dachshunds with IVDD.