Sally The Inspiration Dachshund.htm

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This is one for the animal lovers... if you cant see this page please visit http://www-hsc.usc.edu/~rneville/inspire.html

You think you have it hard? Here is a little dachsie with BIG problemsYet she gives nothing but love.This little girl epitomizes the courage and dignityof the dachshund, and the love and caring of theirowners. She truely is an Inspiration

Sally was turned in at the pound at the tender age of six months by an owner who didn't want to pay a pet depositwhen she moved Dachshund Rescue promptly got her out ofthe pound, checked her for heartworms (negative), vaccinated and spayed her.She was adopted 5 weeks later. The first 2 1/2 months in her new home, she seemed to be a normal, active pup. Then at approximately 9 1/2 months ofage,she suddenly became very clumsy - tripping over her back feet while running, abruptly sitting down while chasing a toy, etc. After extensive medical tests - x-rays, myelogram and spinal fluid analysis - it was determined that Sally had been exposedto Distemper at some point in her young life, most likely whileat the pound awaiting rescue. Apparently her first owner hadn't bothered with puppy shots. The vaccinations she received at the time of her rescue came too late to save her from the ravages of such a vicious disease. She was treated with corticosteroids to try to slow the damage to her nervous system. At her lowest point, she could sit upright for only a few seconds.The toes on her front feet curled under. Her bark was little morethan a squeak. Bladder and bowel control was nil. Now three years old, Sally is a survivor. Her back legs remainparalyzed, but her spirit is indomitable. Her front is muscular,although she holds her front legs very stiffly due to nerve damage.Her bark is strong. She has good bladder control, although her bowel control could still stand some improvement.

She has been receiving acupuncture treatments every two weeksfor the past 9 months. Her front legs have gained strength,but still not enough for her to successfully use a regular2-wheeled K-9 Cart. Consequently, she is now using a special4-wheeled K-9 Cart which provides better front support. She hasalso recently begun to crawl when out of her cart, dragging herrear along behind, another sign of regaining strength in her frontlegs. Her preferred mode of transportation is to have someone holdup her back end while she RUNS to wherever she wants to go.

Despite her physical challenges, Sally is a normal stubbornDachshund. She has learned to communicate her wishes throughbarking and giving "The Look". No one can say what the future holds for Sally but for now she is a very loved little girl.

SEE SALLY TODAY April 1999

For information about back problems, paralysis, and related disorders you can emailSally's owner Henry at: klhenry@...

Go to:Sally's Sister GretchenAnother "Disabled" DachshundA Paralyzed Dachshund Who Recovered