Hi I am Stella and I am fundraising to give a fighting chance to our beautiful dog Nula. She is a 5 year old whippet who I co own with Paul Byrne. 2026 started with a horrific event. It was Nula's afternoon walk, she started off to run then collapsed to the floor howling in agony and curled up. She also had a seemingly paralysed left hind leg. We ate raising funs to pay for an enhanced CT scan and spinal surgery at BOLTON ANIMAL TRUST who offer a package at £3,500. If surgery can help Nula it will be carried out straight after the scan

Our story:

On the day of the incident our registered vet was closed for NY so we rushed her to an emergency vet where she was given pain relief intravenously for 24 hours. Nula is a loving , sweet and shy dog. She wouldn't eat, drink or go to the toilet whilst there. We brought Nula home with oral pain relief and cared for her the best we could. At home she improved massively. She ate, drank and went to the toilet. Unfortunately she still cannot use her left hind leg and tends to walk on her knucke.

We were given confliting opinions by 3 vets. Initially told if Nula had any chance she needed a gold star MRI and possible spinal surgery estimated at 10k nothing less.

Paul and I agreed we would do everything in our power to help Nula. However I had no insurance to cover this amount,I am my own worst critic about this, but we were where we were. I franticly rang round family and friends and raised some funds but nowhere near enough. I thought all was lost.

For the past week we have given Nula 'palliative care,

I say rehabilitation. We have learnt massage techniques researched from the internet, heat treatment, physio, support in her attempts to walk and loads of TLC and it is working, We are convinced she can feel deep pain in both her back legs. (This is a good thing)

In order to care for Nula we have taken time off work , cancelled a holiday (only 10% refund given) we do not know how long the insurance claim will take. We have had to put everything on hold. I have sold my Fiat 500 and used all my savings.

The vet at Bolton Animal Trust has re arranged her appointmens in order to fit Nula in. She has an excellent reputaion and succes rate for this type of procedure. The scan has been booked for Wednesday 14th January

The vet strongly believes that spinal surgery will be needed and Nula will then get every chance to walk again. She is a young dog and the prospects are very good.

We have already raised £1,576 through peoples generous donation and I can t tell you how grateful we all are

We have smashed through 2 of our intial goals.

All donations will be used to pay for Nula's surgery, 5 days post operative care and 8 weeks rehabuilitation at home with me and Paul.

Purchase of specific rehabilitation equipment needed such as a specialised hip harness, crate, heat pads, pain relief etc.

We will also continue to care for our other pets. Mystie the cat who is 20 and our older dog Star who is 14 years old and is Nula's constant companion.

To raise these funds and give Nula this chance would ease a great deal of stress. It is difficult to function, eat or sleep when so much as it at stake. I have a lot of guilt connected to my inability to meet these crucial costs and my lack of forsight regarding accident insurance. But I love my pets. They generally live long happy, healthy lives and given the chance Nula will do the same.