On Saturday 29 January 2022, we had an incredibly horrible night. Our poor baby, Arnie had not been himself & I was super concerned. After dinner, I took him out to the toilet & next minute he’s squealing & yelping, and ran to me then cowered in his bed, shaking like a leaf. Then he had trouble walking. I dropped everything & took him to the Emergench Vet. After five hours, he finally got seen & got the diagnosis that we’ve always feared - Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). Second stage. My heart broke. I had a decision to make - take him home with painkillers, keep him at the emergency vets for observation & fluids or get a referral to a specialist for scans & surgery. After calling my husband (who works away), in a state, we decided we would try and get him well at home. He was on anti inflammatory and pain killer medication, along with strict bed rest for 8 weeks

Didn’t get to bed until 2am, then awoke at 5:30 with Arnie crying. I gave him some water & took him out to the loo but he just sat in the wet grass and didn’t move. So I picked him up & he cuddled me so tight. As soon as I popped him back in bed, he pooped. So then I had to clean my poor baby, and the poop in his bed.

However, the following morning (Sunday), rather than just having issues walking, he had lost all use of his back legs, and couldn’t go toilet in his own. This was by far the worst and longest 24 hours of my life. I had to teach myself to express his bladder so he could wee. Me being pregnant, this added an additional layer of challenge and difficulty. Especially after I’d had no sleep & nothing to eat (I really couldn’t stomach anything.

Another morning (Monday) of no improvement, I took him back to the vets. I explained his deteriorating condition & we’ve now been referred for surgery. The surgery is around $15,000 which we absolutely did not expect this expense. But of course, we will find a way.

Those of you that know me, or even those that don’t, know I never ask for help. Well here I am asking. I know it’s not a typical cause to donate to but we would be so grateful for even a dollar to help us come up with these funds so we can have our beautiful boy back