On the 15th June 2024, at only 4 years old, I had to say goodbye to my best friend Dougie due to IVDD complications.

IVDD (intervertebral disc disease) is a serious health condition that affects the cushioning discs in the spine. It can affect many dog breeds, with equally heartbreaking outcomes, but none more often than the dachshund, with 1 in 4 sausage dogs experiencing IVDD in their lifetime. It is 10 times more likely to affect a dachshund than any other breed due to the lack of support for their long spine.

In his short 4 years Dougie went through 2 major surgeries, paralysis, and many months of restricted quality of life to allow for recovery. He relapsed again only a few months after his last surgery and in the end it was just too much to put him through again.

Dedicated to Dachshunds with IVDD is a charity that supports dogs and their families by supplying them with much needed equipment and support, such as strollers, incontinence aids, wheels and drag bags.

These items help to give a sausage going through the same struggles that Dougie faced, a better quality of life and also helps their humans cope with their daily needs and improve the chances of a full recovery.

I will be taking part in two events to raise money for this under supported charity. on the 31st august I will be cycling 110km and then on the 14th September, the day before what would have been Dougies 6th birthday, I will run 10k at Dedham, where the photos above were taken. I have only recently taken up running and cycling to train for my events, and so this is a huge challenge for me. I believe this will be just the beginning of my fundraising journey, all in the hope that I can help at least one other dog and their owners get through a difficult process.

I couldn't do any more to help my little boy, but there is still more I can do for somebody else's.

In Dougie's memory, please donate to help this cause close to my heart.