I never expected to find myself asking anyone for help. Those of you who know me, know that I don’t. I would rather struggle. It is how I was raised. This isn’t for me. This is for my precious Chewy who is only 3 years old.
It is no secret the few years of my life have been one filled with treatment that no one should ever have to go through. Chewy came into my life completely unexpected. We were immediately attached and he was with me wherever I went. He just knew when I was hurting and would comfort me. I guess he is like an emotional support dog and truly to almost anyone in the house. I have never seen a dog just so loving.
Chewy has always been an adventurous little guy. He jumps around like a puppy and it’s always concerned me because I was never able to get him to stop. He wants to be near you and on his timeline. On April 1st Chewy jumped off a bed when he got excited when we came home. All though Chewy seemed fine, the following evening he was shaking and his stomach was hard. Normally if he shakes (he is a sensitive little guy) I sign rock-a-bye to him and it soothes him and sometimes he falls asleep if I am slowly rocking him.
Yesterday he was rushed to the vet when it was clear this shaking had gotten worse and he was in pain. When we had touched an area of hisback he yelped and it was traumatizing to even hear. I have never heard him do that before. When we got to the vet, he too touched the same area and Chewy made that same god awfulsound. On the way to the vet in VA from NC, Chewy had gotten worse.
By the time we arrived at the vet, Chewy had lost all mobility in his bag legs and when I put him down to be looked at he dragged himself to my yelping. The vet knew right away it was a disc issue in his spine. Chewy is a miniature long hair dapple dachshund. He has a stubby tail and one blue. Perfect on the exterior he may not be but a perfect puppy he is.
We attempted to take him home and treat himwith the pain meds, steroids and another medicine and I knew after an hour it wasn’t working. We created a bed fit for a king in his crate and I placed a heating pad under his blanket on low for comfort. We couldn’t help but keep checking on him.
This morning when we woke up to give him more meds and feed him it was clear his pain had tripled. He could not control his bowels and did that same god awful yelping only this time it seemed much worse. He would not eat anything and would only drink from our finger. We knew immediately what we had to do.
As we sit out in the vehicle waiting for more news, Chewy is inside alone (thank you COVID) on what I hope to be some great intravenous pain meds. I received a call from the vet inside recently indicating Chewy would need to see a neurologist to complete the surgery and or proper images. For that we would need to travel either to Richmond VA or Raleigh NC. We do have the option to have it done by a local surgeon or the pros (neurologist). Either route, we were given a cost of 7-9k with a long recovery!
I realize he is “just a dog” but for anyone who knows him, he is so much more than that to our family. He is a silly, loving, fresh, intelligent andamazing little baby whose quality of life is quickly deteriorating and has done so within days. While I am thankful for his comfort, the thought of loosing our little 3 year old Chewy or having him live in pain is not an option.
If you have ever had a dog that has been your best friend or “been through it all” with you than you know what I feel right now. I am lost and feel helpless and empty. We all do.
Please consider, not helping me but our sweet Chewy who simply had bad luck and an unpreventable accident because he was excited.