08/18/2026
Heaven gained another angel 💔
Today, we ask our community to keep one of our own in your thoughts and prayers as we mourn the loss of her precious boy, Gus.
Gus’s mom is one of our board members, although we all know the pups are the ones who really call the shots.
Gus and Nelly were a deeply bonded sibling pair. There wasn’t a single person who met them who didn’t fall in love. Today, they are separated for the first time because of IVDD.
IVDD, or Intervertebral Disc Disease, occurs when one of the discs cushioning a dog’s spine deteriorates or ruptures, damaging or placing pressure on the spinal cord. It can cause severe pain, weakness, paralysis, and loss of bladder control. It can happen suddenly, and getting veterinary care quickly can make a major difference.
Any dog can develop IVDD, but it is especially common in breeds with shorter legs and longer backs. Higher-risk breeds include:
• Dachshunds
• French Bulldogs
• Beagles
• Basset Hounds
• Corgis
• Shih Tzus
• Lhasa Apsos
• Pekingese
• Cocker Spaniels
Warning signs can include:
• Crying out, trembling, or showing sudden pain
• A hunched or stiff back
• Holding the head low or having a stiff neck
• Refusing to walk, jump, climb stairs, or be picked up
• Weakness, wobbling, or crossing the back legs
• Dragging the feet or legs
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Sudden inability to stand or walk
If your dog shows sudden weakness, begins dragging a leg, or cannot stand or walk, keep them as still as possible and seek emergency veterinary care immediately. Do not wait to see if it improves.
IVDD cannot always be prevented, especially in dogs genetically prone to it, but you may be able to reduce the risk by keeping your dog at a healthy weight, using ramps instead of allowing jumps from furniture, limiting repeated stair use and high-impact activity, using a harness instead of a neck collar, and supporting both the chest and back end when lifting them.
In Gus’s memory, please help us raise awareness by sharing this post. Knowing the warning signs and acting quickly could help save another dog’s life.
Run free, sweet Gus. You were deeply loved and will never be forgotten. Please keep his mom and Nelly in your prayers as they face this heartbreaking loss. 🐾🌈
Pat Burchill Nodurft
Michal Davis
