Hi, My name is Nova and this is my dog, Olive. I got her on my 17th birthday as an emotional support animal, I originally wanted a boy when i was looking for a dog but she leapt into my arms and I didn’t even get to greet any of her brothers. The man who gave her to me named her Joy because of her nature and she has been by my side ever since - literally as you can see in the photos, she sleeps with her head on the pillow next to mine under the duvet like a person. As of today on St. Patrick’s day 2026 she is 5 years old and she is spending her birthday undergoing a gruelling spinal surgery. She is the brightest lady, always wagging her tail and out nowhere on the 15th of March she started to act lethargic and dragging her left back leg and within an hour, her hind legs gave out entirely. I panicked and rushed her to the vet. The vets deemed it extremely emergent, she was diagnosed with Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). IVDD Is extremely common in Dachshunds and by the time she could be scanned it had rapidly progressed to the most severe level of the disease, rendering her completely paralysed from the waist down and unable to control her bladder. This disease is very unforgiving time wise. The vet was squeezing her toes with a clamp and she was not responding. There was no time to think about it, she needed surgery urgently, and even with the surgery it’s a 50/50% chance of her ever getting her mobility back. The surgery however is over €5000, and as I am a student working part time I am struggling financially, but after this I am really struggling. On top of this I won’t be able to work for 6 weeks during her recovery as she will be need 24 hour care. All I want is for Olive to be alright, herself again and to get her mobility back. We were supposed to go to the beach today because it’s her favourite every year and i’m now sat at home looking at the birthday hat and treats I got her during the week, without her. I really do hate to ask but she really is my everything and there is nothing I wouldnt do for her. It would mean the world to me if you could donate or share this, anything at all would help.

thank you so much for taking the time to read.