For the Love of Nala

On January 9, 2018, Nala, my five year old miniature dapple dachshund, underwent emergency surgery for a ruptured disc in her spinal column that could have left her without use of her back legs. Nala is a big city girl who recently relocated with me to Chicago, Illinois. She loves anything round that resembles a ball (don’t you dare say that word around her unless you have one...!), bathing in the sun, swimming at the beach, licking your face, cuddling under blankets, traveling to see the people she loves, and meeting new people to share her joy and love with. On Monday, January 8th, we visited the vet due to what I assumed was a back injury over the weekend. After a day of watching her not having full control of the functioning of her back legs, I called her veterinarian describing what I was seeing and was directed to take her to immediate care as soon as I could. When I was told she may not be able to use her back legs again, I signed the paperwork at hopes of saving her, and sent her off to surgery.As of 9pm tonight, Nala is out of surgery and will be resting. Tomorrow we find out her prognosis for recovery. She has a long recovery ahead, and many adjustments to our lifestyle and apartment will need to be made. Unfortunately, I am left with the bill of nearly $6,000 ($5,955.55 to be exact), as well as medication costs, Monday’s unexpected vet visit, and ramps I will need to purchase for our apartment. No price is too high to save Nala, and this journey is just beginning for her and I. I wish that I was able to pay for her surgery myself, but in addition to my student loan debt, it would take years. So here I am, asking for you to share Nala’s story with the world, in hopes that she makes a full recovery, and that we can receive a little help along the way.