As a wise person once said:
“Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth”
There isn’t any other way to word this other than Picnic’s previous owners felt keeping Picnic alive after her newly diagnosed condition of IVDD and lower half paralysis, was not worth the trouble. To them, her life was now worthless.
This once expensive designer bred French Bulldog sweetheart was to be euthanised simply because her back legs no longer worked. So at the age of 3 years young, a happy, vivacious, outgoing, cheeky, sassy, fun-loving, adorable little french bulldog suddenly found herself both paralysed and homeless.
It is very clear that for the first 3 years of Picnic’s life she was loved and cared for to the highest of pet ownership expectations. Her little personality shows that she has known only love in her life. She is affectionate and endearing and can and will charm the pants off of anyone she meets.
Even though her foster family have explained it many times, still to this day Picnic has no idea or comprehension that she is paralysed or any less able than her foster siblings around her.
Each day Picnic wakes up happy. She wants cuddles and chin scratches. She wants to be told that she is a “good girl” and she wants to play with all the other dogs (in the world). She loves to get out and be social. Living in the Inner West of Sydney, visiting cafes, pubs, parks and weekend window shopping is the only life she has ever known.
Over the past 107 days since Picnic arrived in foster care here at Life of Pikelet she has worked extremely hard with her rehabilitation. Attending intense and professional physiotherapy multiple times each week which involves hydrotherapy, massage, acupressure and acupuncture. The improvement has been slow but steadily progressive.
The truth is that Picnic may never walk again, however there are signs in her rehabilitation development that give both her foster family and her rehabber hope and encouragement. She is starting to move her hips off the ground and is gradually bringing her legs into a standing position. On. Her. Own!!!!
The strength and muscle in her lower half has improved ten fold since she arrived in care. And while she still needs to wear a nappy to prevent toileting accidents, at times Picnic is urinating on her own (she can poop unassisted with no problems).
Picnic’s adoption isn’t going to be your everyday run-of-the-mill adoption. There are many many things that potential adopters need to be educated on with her future needs and requirements. It would just be far too hard to list everything in this one little profile.
So BEFORE you read Picnic’s adoption criteria it is extremely important that potential adopters give great thought and communicate in their adoption application as to what their home set up and daily routine plan is for the first few weeks/months and what the on-going plan is for Picnic throughout her long life ahead. Looking after a differently abled dog can be overwhelming at first however Picnic is ridiculously compliant and patient with her needs and instructions when it comes to her routine. The only time you will ever hear a complaint come out of Picnic’s mouth is when she wants you to cuddle her faster.
** What is IVDD you ask? Well here is the short of it:
Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a condition in which a disc develops a problem and the material inside escapes into the spinal column, ultimately causing pain, nerve damage, and even paralysis. The condition is seen more often in dogs than cats.
If you are serious about applying for Picnic’s adoption it goes without saying that you must do your research on this condition. There are an endless number of websites, forums, facebook groups and even famous Insta dogs that you can look up, join & follow.
Here are just a few links to get you started:
https://www.ivdd.org.au/what-is-ivdd/
https://doxiesdownunder.com/disa-your-ivdd-support-crew/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/French-Bulldog-IVDD-Support-178483559398659/
https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2015/08/ivdd-in-dogs-olivers-story.html
https://www.instagram.com/louis.on.wheels/
https://www.facebook.com/disainc/
https://lessonsfromaparalyzeddog.com
ADOPTION CRITERIA
**All applications will be reviewed and replied to within 5 days, please be patient.
– Picnic’s wheelchair, 1 x dog pram, 2 x collars, 2 x leashes, 2 x walking harness, raised food bowls, peanut ball and disc for physiotherapy, pack of disposable nappies, 5 x washable nappies, 4 x waterproof nappies and an assortment of jumpers & clothes.
Picnic comes with a certificate of no-heat cycle and is registered with Inner West Council, NSW as desexed. Besides the obvious (paralysis in her lower half due to IVDD) Picnic has sensitive skin and is prone to yeast ear infections from time to time. We have no documented record, however when Picnic came into care her vet specialist told us that she had had soft palate surgery which is common practice with brachycephalic breeds. We had also been told that Picnic had surgery to correct ‘cherry eye’ in her left eye however at times of stress and excitement both eyes sometimes have cherry eye (which lasts for about 5 minutes before going back to normal).
