Entrant's Name
Ashley

Owner's Name
Ashley

About Your Pet
Walter, affectionately known as Waffle Boy, is a six-year-old miniature dachshund. His first four years were just like any other dog's: walking, running, and playing on all fours; but in 2022, he suddenly became unable to use his hind end because of IVDD. After emergency surgery that saved his life but didn't prevent paralysis, along with lots of therapy and other treatments, he gets around with the help of a set of wheels and accessorizes with a diaper. When he's not turning corners on his wheels like a race car driver, Walter can be found wearing his special pants to scoot across soft floors like a baby seal, enjoying fresh air in his stroller, or engaging in his favorite activity of sitting in anyone's lap who will take him.

Why Your Pet Should Be Named the Next Tally Top Pet
There's not enough data on IVDD to determine life expectancy after paralysis, but Walter deserves the world while he's in it. His humans thought his diagnosis would be detrimental for him, but it ended up being harder on the humans than Walter. He continues to teach patience, grace, and how to be content and thrive in all circumstances by example, and is so happy to be living life. He's always been a sweet and dainty boy, and as happy as he is to be alive, his humans might be even happier. At the beginning of his post-surgery treatment, the vet said, "worst case scenario, you'll have a happy dog." That was nearly impossible to picture at the time, but it has proven true over and over, and it turns out the worst case scenario can still be fun and beautiful and happy. The future may be unknown, but what we do know is that life is better with Walter in it, and we want to keep making his the best it can be.