It’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!