Elvis is a very special young hound on a tremendous journey and is touching the hearts of all those who hear of his story. This gorgeous boy is *NOW ALMOST 14.5-years old and still a Miniature Smooth, Black and Tan Dachshund* went through spinal surgery in October 2013 after suffering from the disease that all Dachshund owners fear - IVDD. Unfortunately, due to the extent of the damage to his spinal cord, the specialists believe that it is very unlikely Elvis will ever consciously walk again. But there is a chance that he will be able to reflex or spinal walk. He also has no control of his bladder or bowels and needs to help relieve himself (*Which humum loves :) ha ha)
Elvis's original owners, whom he had been with since a puppy along with his sister, found it difficult to look after him after his surgery. With a their young child to look after and after much heart searching Elvis was put up for adoption as they could not face putting him to sleep without seeing if there was anyone that could help him first. Through a new found and highly committed group of Dachshund owners in the UK (Dachshunds Needing Homes), intent on helping dachshunds who are 'in need' to find a forever home, Elvis found a foster home within a matter of days and his owners parted with him on Friday 29th November 2013. His foster carer Chevair bravely stepped forward, determined to get Elvis back on his feet - with the belief that with love and patience anything is possible. The wheelchair that he arrived with, and had been using since his operation, was put to the side whilst Chevair and her family concentrated on love, cuddles and building trust. After arriving at his foster home, Elvis was loved and cared for 24 hours a day and by some miracle, appeared to have slight feeling in his hind legs as he wagged his tail when his toes are tickled and when in the bath. Over the Christmas holidays 2013 Chevair needed a break from looking after Elvis as dachshund Linda was due to have her puppies. That 2 weeks is still going as Elvis remains with Sara who refused to give him up! Thanks to the generosity of many many people, Elvis had a year of weekly hydrotherapy paid by his hufriends and hufans and acupuncture and physiotherapy. The funds that have been raised via PayPal donations, Fundrazer, and raffles and other events is so gratefully received and enabled every and any treatment to be offered to Elvis to see what function he can get back. He is very adept at using his wheels and recent progress in regaining some muscle tone and reflexes means that his cart has to be put to the side temporarily again while we see if he can reflex or spinal walk unaided. It may take some months. He may never walk at all, but with hydrotherapy one or two times a week and daily exercises he is being given the best chances possible. If you would like to help Elvis and contribute towards his ongoing costs, then he has a PayPal account - [email protected]. *His Fundrazer campaign (https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/0hM83/ab/72WjC4) has since closed and we are so very grateful for all the support he has received. We no longer ask for financial support but if you would like to send him something or help him help others now and then it would be very gratefully received" He is also very partial to rubbery (has to be latex) squeaky toys! Please join us and follow Elvis's journey, through ups and downs, rehabilitation, and hopefully one day, back on his feet and living the life that he so clearly wants to with his new forever family x"
