How did I not find this website when I was doing research for my own wedding? Seriously??? I’m a little pissed that  had no idea there was a Disney Bridal collection!

Would it be weird to have a re dedication ceremony after only 3 years?

I tried to complain to Neil about it:

me: OMG Neil! Come here!

Neil: What?

me: No come here! I want you to see this! *points to computer screen*

Neil: Just tell me what it is.

me: I just found a Disney Bridal website. They have designer Disney Princess inspired wedding gowns!

Neil: Uh hu…

me: I’m so mad I didn’t know about this!

Neil: Ok, well it doesn’t matter because….we’re already married.

me: I know but!

Neil: We’ve already had our wedding.

me: But if I had known about this…!

Neil: I’m glad I didn’t get up for that.

He’s a meany sometimes.

(taken from my iPhone last Friday afternoon)

When I got back from Paducah/Murray Saturday evening I picked the dogs up to give them lovin just like I always do when I’ve just come home. I noticed Aly was acting different right away; She wouldn’t kiss me and was shaking as I pet on her. I put her down, thinking maybe she was mad at me about staying gone. She does that sometimes.

A few minutes later I let the dogs outside to use the bathroom. It’s completely normal for Ben to stay outside longer than Aly (she doesn’t like the cold) but after about 5 minutes I looked at the door only to find Ben standing there waiting to be let in. No Aly. I opened the door to let him inside and called for her. She didn’t come. I stepped out on the back porch to look for her and there she was, standing at the bottom of the steps, shaking. I called her again and she started the pace back and forth but wouldn’t come up the stairs. I finally went down the stairs, picked her up, and carried her up the steps.

I sat down on the couch to start working and she came to the couch and whined at me. I patted the couch cushion, telling her to jump up on the couch, and she wouldn’t. She just continued to whine. I then picked her up and placed her on the couch next to me. I started petting on her and that’s when I figured it out. When I touched her lower back (the beginning of her lumbar vertebrae, for those medically inclined) she yelped and coward-ed. This broke my heart. I knew what was wrong.

Dachshunds have back problems. Their bodies are so long and their legs are so short. Aly is a risk taker for sure. When medium sized dogs are afraid to jump off of something tall Aly is already waiting at the bottom, having already jumped down. She jumps off the top of our back porch on a daily basis. It’s about 4 feet tall and Aly is 4 yr old, 8-9 lbs, and (her head) stands only 6-7 inches tall.

Aly being a dare devil should have only become a problem is she were overweight, which she isn’t. Also, she’s much too young to be experiencing said back problems. I know from research and just hearsay that this problem could sometimes only be fixed by surgery and then, other times even surgery can’t fix it. She could be paralyzed.

All day Sunday Neil and I helped her down the back porch steps and up then again and again. She picked her up and placed her on the couch when she wanted up and put her down on the floor when she wanted down. Monday morning I called the vet and took Aly to her appointment at 3 that afternoon. No x rays were required. He knew what was wrong with her. He felt around on her back and sure enough, she yelped. He checked her hind leg’s reflexes and they weren’t stellar. He did say, however, that the fact that she’s still able to walk is a great thing and she could do just fine on meds. Surgery wasn’t something we should think about at this time.

THANK GOD!

He sent Aly home with three different medications: one that she has to take 3 times a day for 5 days, one that she has to take 3 times a day for 5 days and then once a day for 5 days and then once every other day for 5 days, and one that she has to take 2 times a day for 7 days. All of these meds have to be given to her with applesauce because she’s a pain when it comes to taking pills. If that weren’t enough, she is restricted from activity (jumping, running, etc.) for 3 weeks. Oh boy, this is going to be fun.

When at all possible she’s to stay in her crate. So far that proves to be the easiest task because that’s the only place she wants to be. Neil and I will continue to pick her up and take her wherever she needs to go. I will do whatever it takes to encourage her back to heal and prevent it from ever happening again. No more jumping off the back porch for her!