Hi, my name is Kendra, and I am fundraising for my beloved dog Obi. Obi is a 10-year-old Doberman Pinscher who is my best friend. My sweet Obi is in a bit of a crisis. About a month ago, I noticed that he was crying in pain with certain neck movements, having a hard time getting up, standing and walking. Then he started falling down in the woods and knuckling over in his front legs. So I took him in for an MRI. Dr. Silver, one of the best veterinary neurologists in the country, informed me that he has Wobbler’s Disease.

Obi has a degeneration of the discs in his cervical spine and a narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis) that, combined, are causing compression on his spinal cord. The compression is causing inflammation and the inflammation is blocking the communication path to his legs. After the MRI he was completely paralyzed in all four legs, screaming in pain, and could no longer sit, stand or walk. They gave us steroids to reduce the inflammation and gabapentin to ease the pain. It has been 14 days and there have been lots of little improvements. He hasn't cried in pain for many days now, he can move his neck in any direction without pain, he can move his arms and legs, he can flip himself over in his bed and scoot around. Two days ago he pushed himself up almost into a sit and really surprised himself. He still cannot stand or walk.

I have been giving him Shiatsu treatments 3x per day. I have what's called an "Assisi Loop," that is PEMF therapy to reduce inflammation and increase blood flow. I'm giving him really good food with supplements to further encourage a decrease in inflammation. We have been playing some mind games and he is getting so good at them! I got him a fancy harness that makes it so I can lift him up without it hurting... I am hoping that, with my help, he will eventually be able to push up with some help and walk with some help. He seems to understand that we are resting and he is in really good spirits. He is comfortable and happy, and I am, honestly, having a heart-breakingly good time with him.

I have chosen to stop working for a little while so that he and I can have more time together and so that I can help him and see if it's possible for him and I to find a way forward. When it first started to happen, I called my dad and he said that if I don’t do everything I can, I’d regret it for the rest of my life. My heart agreed.

The path ahead is awfully uncertain, I have no idea if he will go on to live a really nice life or if I will eventually need to help him die. Many dogs with Wobbler's disease have flare ups and then recover and it is manageable. I don't know which way this will go for us. If this is it though, I want every single moment I can have with him. I don’t want to miss a thing.

These funds will help me pay for the cost of the MRI, vet bills, new equipment, supplements, good food, acupuncture, herbs, Assisi Loop, and they will help cover the cost of my life (rent, food, bills) so I can take the time off to help him and be with him.

We need some help,

Love,

Kendra