The Day Moxxi Lost Her Steps

On the morning of Sunday, May 4th, our sweet 5-year-old weiner dog Moxxi started behaving out of the ordinary. She was grunting in pain and struggling to go to the bathroom, but otherwise maintained her usual movement and loving personality. We figured it was some sort of tummy ache caused by a bully stick treat we had given her the day before. We decided to be extra careful with her that day and made sure she was cuddled up, getting plenty of rest, and was closely supervised.

The next morning, things took a worrying turn. When we set her down from the couch where she slept with us, her back legs were stiff and wobbly. She was clearly having trouble walking. Alarm bells went off, and we called the vet immediately.

At first, we thought maybe she’d eaten the bully stick too fast and had a bowel obstruction. But the vet quickly ruled out any stomach issues and began focusing on her spine. That’s when we heard the words no dachshund owner ever wants to hear: Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD).

Based on her symptoms, we believed she was around Stage 2. She was still walking, but with coordination issues and paw placement problems. She received a steroid injection, pain meds, and strict crate rest orders. We crossed our fingers and hoped for the best.

But by the time we got her home, Moxxi had stopped using her back legs entirely. We convinced ourselves she was just exhausted from the vet visit and the meds needed time to kick in. But as the night wore on, she started losing bladder control, and that hope began to fade. We rushed out to grab doggie diapers and made her as comfortable as we could, preparing for a long night ahead.

By morning, we were back at the vet, this time for an emergency referral. They tested her for sensory and deep pain response in her hind legs and confirmed our worst fear: Moxxi had gone from Stage 2 to Stage 5 IVDD overnight. This is a life-altering diagnosis. At Stage 2, surgery success is close to 100%. At Stage 5, it drops to 50%, and without it, Moxxi would likely remain paralyzed for life.

To make things harder, emergency animal hospitals are often overwhelmed. Without a direct referral, we might not have been able to get her in for surgery right away. And with how fast things were progressing, every hour counted.

After emptying a box of Kleenex at the vet, wiping away our tears, we packed up and made the hour-and-a-half drive to VCA Aurora Animal Hospital, the nearest ER with a neurologist on site. Despite the chaos of the day, Moxxi stayed calm and brave the entire ride, making sure to give us plenty of kisses along the way.

At the hospital, we were faced with the hardest decisions: go forward with surgery, do nothing, or say goodbye to one of our best friends in the entire world.

If you’ve ever met Moxxi, you already know which choice we made.

She’s never met a stranger she didn’t love, and she’s never left a bad impression. She’s one of the kindest, most lovable dogs you’ll ever meet. She rarely barks, always listens, and gives the world’s best kisses. It was unanimous. The surgery was the best option to give Moxxi a fighting chance to live the highest quality of life for however long we would be blessed to have her.

The one thing I can say without hesitation is that Moxxi was in the best hands every step of the way. From our local vet to the hospital staff, everyone treated her with such care, urgency, and genuine compassion. They didn’t just see a patient, they saw our baby, and they made sure we felt supported, informed, and never alone. In one of the scariest moments of our lives, their kindness meant everything.

Moxxi had the surgery. She's now on the long road to recovery, and we’re doing everything we can to help her regain function and quality of life. But the cost is overwhelming, over $13,000 for the surgery alone, with additional expenses ahead: therapy, medication, diapers, acupuncture, and possibly a doggie wheelchair.

We’re lucky to have a support system, but even that has its limits. So we’re here, humbly asking for help.

If you’re able to donate, no amount is too small. If you’re not in a place to give, simply sharing this campaign would mean the world. Life isn’t fair, and we don’t get to choose the hand we’re dealt. But we do get to choose how we respond.

At the very least, we hope Moxxi’s story (and her many pictures) brought a smile to your face. Her fan club seems to grow every time she waddles into the world. She even had strangers petting her in the vet’s parking lot like she was some kind of celebrity.

We just want to give our girl the best shot at the life she deserves. And with your help, we can make that happen.

Thank you for reading, sharing, or donating.