dodgerslist

Experiencing the “Other Side” of Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Dachshunds

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1910 1200It’s been unusually cold here in Wisconsin.  The windchill is expected to dip to 20 degrees below zero tonight.  Gidget has the right idea staying in front of the gas stove in my writing cottage.

Today I want to talk about the “other side” of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).  When I set out to adopt another dachshund with IVDD this past November, I really thought I’d adopt one that was already in a wheelchair, or in need of one. Having cared for Frankie and Joie I definitely had the experience. I also have the wheelchair that both Frankie and Joie used.

I’ve had a few people ask me how I actually found Gidget. Well, all I did was google “dachshunds with IVDD up for adoption.” That is how I came across Gidget on Petfinder.com,  listed through On My Way Home Dachshund Rescue.  IVDD was actually in the title along with her name, so it wasn’t too hard to find her in this way.

When I saw her photo, just like I did with Joie, I instantly felt this connection with her. When I watched her video which was also included on Petfinder, I realized she could wobble walk. Though my intention was to adopt one with what I felt had more “needy” needs being in a wheelchair, I just couldn’t get Gidget out of my mind.  Most importantly, I couldn’t get her out of my heart.

Being an advocate for dogs with IVDD and dogs in wheelchairs, I must be honest and say that I did have some concern that others may not understand why I chose to adopt a dachshund who didn’t need a wheelchair. But I’ve come to realize that was silly thinking. I also realized that for whatever reason I felt such a strong connection with Gidget, I was to adopt her and learn new things. This also does not change my advocacy for wheelchair dogs as I’ll continue that.

It has been a joy to watch the other side of IVDD. The side when dachshunds recover enough to walk on their own again.  Many I know of that do walk again, tend to have this wiggly wobbly walk to them like Gidget does.  I’ve actually found this to be a new avenue of inspiration for me. Whether in a wheelchair or wobbly walking, their perseverance is the same.

Gidget also does not have any concerns, as did Frankie or Joie, that she looks a little “different” than “normal” dachshunds. She does all the same things dachshunds without IVDD.

There is no guarantee Gidget won’t go down again though I try not to worry about that. As Kim, who also cares for IVDD dachshunds said to me on Facebook, “We can’t allow ourselves to be paralyzed by that fear.  But we can continue to learn from them and take joy in watching them thrive each day.” So true.

As I think back when I adopted Joie, I do recall thinking the fact that she was already down and in need of a wheelchair, I didn’t need to worry too much about another episode of a ruptured disk.  Though she also had other contributing factors with her spinal cord dying, as well as the bubble on the base of her brain, it was still something I surely didn’t expect to happen so soon after I adopted her.

Through my grieving for her I came to realize that I couldn’t let fear paralyze me in adopting another IVDD dachshund. Along with many other things I learned about myself in that process, I knew I wanted to care for another special needs doxie again.

There is risk in most anything we do. When it comes to loving these special little ones, the risk, yes, may be greater– but do we really even know that for certain?  The only risk is that our hearts will break again because our love for them is so deep. But the beautiful thing about our hearts, and what these dogs teach us, is that we can expand our hearts to love another once again.

Watching the other side of IVDD and miss wiggly wobbly butt (a.k.a. Gidget) has made me smile over and over again since she came into my life. It has also opened me up even more to what perseverance is all about, as well as making the best out of each and every day… just like Gidget does and all the IVDD dachshunds out there who are given a chance.

As always, for anyone new to my blog or finding me in their search for information on IVDD, please know there is hope.  There is a wonderful organization dedicated to helping pet owners whose dog has been diagnosed with IVDD.  They are Dodgerslist.  Check them out today!

Meeting Charlie Brown the Handicapable Dachshund. Be Still My Heart.

Posted by Barbara Techel

charlie 1200If you follow me on Facebook, you likely noticed my profile photo of me holding this Dapper Dachshund.  His name is Charlie Brown and is also known as the Handicapable Doxie.  You can find him on Facebook. I’m sure he’d be thrilled if you gave his page a like.  I had the honor of meeting him while in Asheville, NC last week.

It just so happened that I posted some photos talking about the River Arts District and the Dachshund pottery I had purchased.  Jo, a Facebook friend noticed where I was and tagged Kristin Hyland Dryden who is the mom of Charlie Brown.  Little did I know they live in a neighboring city to Asheville.  She contacted me and asked if she could meet me and bring Charlie Brown, as well as their other Dachshund Gunner.

This would turn out to be the highlight of my trip!  Now don’t get me wrong, I love Asheville and all the culture, restaurants, and site seeing we did. But give me the chance to meet another Dachshund and one in a wheelchair, well, that is a right where my heart wants to be.

We agreed to meet at Starbucks in Biltmore Village (right outside the Biltmore Estate).  John and I arrived early to grab a coffee and tea. It was a warm fall day and the sun felt good as we sat outside waiting for Charlie Brown and his family to arrive.

After a few moments I looked across the parking lot and my heart caught in my throat.  There he was!  His big ears flapping in the wind, rolling happily in his wheels, making his way across the parking lot. I jumped to my feet and made my way toward him.  I immediately bent down and took his little face in my hands. Emotion overcame me. There is nothing like the love of a Dachshund.

After greeting Gunner too, I stood up and gave Kristin a hug and shook her husband Rick’s hand. It was then that Kristin got tears in her eyes and told me how she has wanted to thank me for helping give her hope when Charlie Brown first went down three years ago.  She shared with me that while Charlie Brown was in surgery she researched on the Internet to find out more about Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).

Like me, when Frankie was first diagnosed in 2006, Kristin was scared. She didn’t know what Charlie Brown’s life would be like if the surgery didn’t work. Luckily she found my website and that gave her the hope and peace of mind she needed.  I hugged her close as she shared this with me. This is my joy. Knowing that by sharing my story about Frankie, I was able to help someone else.

After we talked for awhile I asked if I could hold Charlie Brown. The moment Kristin placed him in my arms my heart felt home. This is who I am, I thought. This is what makes me feel alive.  My mom’s comment about the photo I posted on Facebook couldn’t be more true also, “You are never as happy as when you have a doxie in your arms.”

Meeting Charlie Brown filled me with immense joy. I look forward to the day I hold a new little one of my own in my arms. It will be a day when I once again feel complete.

I really didn’t want to say goodbye to Charlie Brown or his family. But I know we will be forever friends now. Our love and devotion of these special needs doxie’s brought us together and I will always carry them in my heart.

Joie to See Nerosurgeon Tomorrow Morning for CT Myelogram.

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1724 1200We were off to our local vet early this morning.  Joie yelped once before I put her to bed last night, and then twice this morning. She also wouldn’t eat her breakfast. She is not herself. I knew I needed to get her in to see the vet right away.

As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t know Joie’s past history. I don’t know the circumstances of how she went down or how she was treated.  I’m not sure if she was actually diagnosed with IVDD at some point also. I do know that she went down in May of 2012.  I adopted her in October 2013.

After my vet examined her and given her past history, he feels since the disc issue may not have been properly taken care of when she first went down,  it is now causing pressure and pain. Meds may help, but the fact we don’t know what we are exactly dealing with, he felt it best she have a myelogram done. Meds may only mask the problem for awhile and then it could get worse, and then meds would not even help.

Since my local vet does not do myelogram’s it was suggested I call Lakeshore Vet Services, which is about 40-minutes from where I live. Just about a month ago they brought on a neorsurgeon who is well versed in disc disease. I talked with Amy who is the neorsurgeon’s assistant and we will go in for a consult and CT myelogram tomorrow morning at 10:00 am. The CT portion is a newer method that they didn’t do years ago when Frankie went down.  From what I understand, the CT myelogram is able to show more in depth slices of the spine, so hopefully we can see what exactly is going on in Joie’s spine.

She is resting comfortably now that I have her home again. Though she still is not interested in eating any food. She will have to stay overnight tomorrow as that is required since they will have to put her under to do the procedure.  I pray that all will turn out the best it possibly can for my sweet little Joie.

I know many of you who read my blog have been through this before -sometimes more than once with your little ones.  I also know having been through this in a different way with Frankie, that I can take care of Joie as we move forward. I’ll also be refreshing myself and perusing Dodgerslist website today.  As I so often talk about in my blog posts, I am doing my best to stay hopeful and know there are many blessings ahead for Joie and I. Please keep Joie in your prayers.