Hi, my name's Emily, and this is Tia, my 6 year old golden retriever. Tia is an energetic, athletic, cheeky, playful dog who loves a big hike and tearing around the woods of an afternoon!

Recently Tia sadly got diagnosed with Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH for short). DISH is basically when the long ligament which runs on the underside of the spine turns to/grows extra bone, fusing the vertebra of the spine together. As a result of this, the extra bone growth is pinching and restricting the nerves leaving the spine, which for Tia, is causing a lot of pain and massive limitations in her movement. Left untreated Tia's quality of life will be massively impacted, she will have to reply on some hefty pain medication which would never completely alleviate her pain and there is a very high chance at some point in the next couple of years this could result in permanently damaging the nerves in her spine leaving her with irreparable loss of strength in her legs (all of which is a very painful ordeal). Tia is now restricted to strict 15 - 20 minute (max) lead walks on level terrain, which for such an active, adventurous dog is honestly just heart breaking. This condition has no known cause (idiopathic) and has been described by the specialists as "rare" and they've said Tia is just extremely unlucky to be facing this diagnosis.

Up until a month or so ago, Tia's daily walks would involve chasing around the woods and local parks, long afternoons hiking around Lakes and national parks, and she's even climbed two of three biggest peaks in the UK!! (Scafell Pike and Snowdon). Tia was due to complete the set and take on Ben Nevis in late May - A trip Tia is now unable to join us on.

BUT! There is hope!! Tia is still a young, healthy dog and surgery exists to rectify the damage/pain currently being caused to her nerves! The surgery involves expanding the space/gap which the nerves pass through and securing vertebra in place to stop the movement which has lead to the excessive bone growth. This surgery has a huge success rate and once recovered Tia could essentially return to close to her "normal". The thought of my best friend and little soul mate never getting to do what she loves most (running around and playing pain-free) ever again, is crushing. She is still so young and has so much life left to live in her!

Tia is insured but the insurance only covers some of the costs associated with the surgery, and the inevitable rehab and additional support Tia will need in the 8-10 months following surgery.

SO.... if you can donate anything big or small to help fund Tia's surgery and recovery I would be eternally grateful. For anyone who knows me personally, you'll know what Tia means to me. She is by my side everywhere I go, and there isn't a thing I wouldn't do to give this little puppy of mine every single chance she can get for the best life ever.

If you've read this far, thank you! Please share far and wide, and know if you have/can donate from the bottom of my heart, thank you <3 it means the world to me and Tia.

Em x