And so the story goes...
Early February, I was traveling back to KC for work and family visits. Normally I would take Nutmeg with me. But due to changes on flying with ESA dogs, I made the choice to deal with the anxiety I would feel, and leave her with a first for two weeks.

He first noticed some behavioral changes (sleeping a lot, less eating, etc) that we thought at first had to do with her quarterly cycle. But when he noticed her belly was harder a vet trip was in store. In LA (because of Covid & staffing issues), it was very difficult to get in. He went to four different vets and no one would see her. After waiting at the last one, they seemingly brushed off in the waiting room that she was just constipated and it was NOT a medical emergency. 

Two days later, she was UNABLE to move her back legs, paralyzed in her backend. He took her back to the vet, and I was told that "NutMeg needs surgery NOW." Life threatening spinal injury. Unless they did the MRI followed by immediate surgery... Urgh, I can't even go there.

The vet said I had to put down a full "deposit" of 11,402.00 which was lowest end of their estimate. I wasn't given any option of payment plans, or time to research alternative... I just had to be thankful my credit limit covered that. It all happened so fast, and I wasn't even there in person to really feel out the situation. I just had to trust everything I was being told, and I had to trust that somehow everything was going to work out, and that my sweet little Nut was going to be okay. 

I made the GoFundMe as soon as I got off the phone. (And am so thankful to all the people who donated without even really knowing what was going on -- thank you. thank you. thank you.)

When her MRI came back, I was informed that she had a herniated disk: 11th & 12th thoracic vertebrae. I like saying this because it makes me feel smart. Thoracic also sounds like Jurrassic Park... And I believe that Dachshunds are descendants of Tyrannosaurus Rexes... which somehow explains why this disorder would be a very common problem with dachshunds and other small breeds. I was never worried about NutMeg because her spine isn't that long compared to other weenies. But, alas. 

Doctor say from the MRI that this looked to be a chronic problem with a sudden flair up. This could be genetic OR it can come from trauma (even as simple as jumping off the couch weird). It could be related to the time that NutMeg was kicked by an alpaca at summer camp. Long story cut short there,  she was chasing the chickens, the alpacas were chasing her, I was chasing the alpacas, and the kids were chasing me. It was hilarious, until it wasn’t, but hey sometimes humor hurts. Hey no regrets, beside the fact that it wasn't caught on video. 

NUTMEG did very well in surgery & I was recently told that EVERYONE fell in love with her, especially the post-opp nurses. I with my mom from KC back to LA, and we were able to get back in time to pick her up three days later. She was pretty out of it, but very gentle in her gratitude to see me. We went home and set up a confined nest on the floor in the living room so we could safely sleep together. 

She is now on her spinal healing journey! Everyday she is getting more feeling back in her legs. I have a sling that I help her walk more safel. Makes me feel like Geppetto and she is my Pinocchio. My real dog will soon have no strings on her!

Doctor had said it would take two weeks before she would stand again, and a total of four before she would walk. Four days of being home and she was on her feet walking again. She's still a little wobbly as if she's intoxicated and out at sea, but she's getting stronger everyday. Three more weeks of being confined, then another two months of strict activity... But because it's NutMeg, I expect a recovery of 110%. She's magical little ray of sunshine from another planet capable of wondrous things. 

The morning after I picked NutMeg up from the hospital, she sealed/slithered out of her "apartment" and gave me the sweetest little kisses. This has been our ritual everyday since I got her when she was 10 weeks old. She reminds me that everyday is a gift, and that love is never that far out of reach. How good it is to be alive and to be loved. 


Paying off this surgery on my credit card will completely wipe away my savings/nest egg during my slow season. I have been putting out reminders of all the services I can offer the world. Acting, Entertaining, Writing, Teaching, Intuitive Readings...  hooking this independent contractor up with a job is just as appreciated as a donation. Also, there's a school bus for sale.

There's lots of ways to help us after this intense event, emotionally, physically, financially... So thank you for all the prayers, healing energy, donations, connections --- everything is HUGELY appreciated & deeply felt. Been through a lot of lows & highs in the last two weeks -- and I'm so grateful for friends, family, & community members looking out for us & checking in.

Thank you for the support of me & my better 1/8th. Sending much love, little licks, & high squeaks of the purest frequency of love. 

For those of you who don't know us:

NutMeg  is a 5.5 year old wire hair/long hair dachshund. Her birthday is 10/10!  She loves humans, especially kids. She's so gentle, sweet, and soft. She also has a great sense of humor, impeccable comedic timing, and even has a few celebrity impressions. She loves to adventure, and is very bold. She doesn't tolerate injustice. She's always a star at the dog park, and instantly melts the hearts of everyone she meets.  She has many nicknames: Nut, Nutters, Cinnamon Biscuit, Little Bean, Little Deviant, Megan, NutMeg Ryan (stage name), Baby Reindeer... and many many more. It is her mission to remind people of what love really feels like.

Hailey is a heart-centered comedian & generative artist. She lived for three years in a school bus conversion (for sale), until she recently moved into her dream cabin in the woods. She is self-employed working as a character performer, murder mystery writer, intuitive, and theatre teacher. She is also an adventurer, and loves to do location based -- community based work. She loves camping, writing poetry, singing show tunes, and embroidery. It's her mission to inspire more laughter & joy in the world.