Roxy’s Long Walk to Freedom

Although this campaign isn't about me, it is important for me to give a bit of background for you to get a feeling of why I'm here, as this is not something I'm comfortable to do - I realise that there are way bigger causes that our planet could benefit from.

Throughout my life I've been a responsible, functioning adult (open to debate on that) and worked really hard in my career to achieve financial success. However, all along I knew that I wasn't being true to myself and wasn't enjoying life.

As the universe tends to do, situations in life make us realise we're on the wrong path and I took a leap of faith to leave an environment that wasn't good for me.

Financially it was a catastrophic decision to say the least, however my ultimate goal of living an authentic life and being true to myself have been so rewarding, and thanks to so many amazing people in my life (you know who you are), I'm not camped out under a bridge on the N1.

Which brings me back to why I'm here...

Those of you who know me, even briefly, know that my entire life revolves around my animals... in fact, any animals, even ones I may have just met briefly...

You've probably met or heard me speak about Roxy, my chubby dachshund. Well the little sausage has been on diet for most of her life, with little success, however she's managed to lose about 3kgs in the last 4 months or so and has been fondly renamed 'Kate Moss' in the hood - now rocking it at 7kgs and still losing.

Some facts about dachshunds: they're notorious for having back problems. As many as one in four dachshunds end up fully or partially paralyzed, or with mobility limitations and pain related to spinal issues at some point in their lives.

She's battled with her back for a couple of years, which along with my vet, we've treated conservatively with medication as it's flared up. As these dogs are genetically predisposed to this condition, being overweight does add stress to their spine, however isn't a cause of this condition.

Roxy's recent flare up hasn't responded to medication and she's started to lose feeling in her back legs. She's still mobile, however has been confined and is unable to navigate stairs so we have ramps for her to move around. The vet has said that one wrong move could leave her paralysed.

Roxy is 7 years young and dachshunds have a life expectancy of 12 - 16 years. Those of you who know her, know she's the happiest, most loveable little pooch you ever did see. Throughout this ordeal, apart from a day here and there, she still howls with excitement when she sees us, and the tail wags like a propeller.

In order to establish whether she has Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) she would need to have an MRI which comes at a hefty price tag of approximately R8,000. Only from there can we establish the way forward. Should this be the case, which the two vets I've consulted with are quite sure it is, she would need surgery to repair the spinal disk degeneration, which is anticipated to be approximately R30,000.

As a dye is used in the MRI, should surgery be required she would be taken directly from the MRI into surgery as this saves on costs as well as stress to the animal.

I understand that my decisions in life have consequences, but should I not be able to raise these funds, I will need to have her euthanased as she is not a happy little camper.

This plea is not to make any of you feel sorry for me or my baby, obviously I really would appreciate your support, but for me to be able to live with myself knowing that I did everything I possibly could to save her.

If you've read this far, thank you. If you'd like more info on the disease, or Roxy, please shout.

Love Mich