Dog Hans Narrative

As I woke up that one summer morning three years ago, I had no idea just how bad that day and the ones to follow were going to get. It was a hot summer day and I was enjoying swimming in the pool and sitting in the sun. My dog Hans had just gotten out of the pool and was now sitting in the yard. He shook the water off of his fur and then fell to the ground with a whimper. He was unable to stand up and we immediately rushed him to the vet. Being a dachshund we discovered that he, like a lot of other dogs his breed, had gone paralyzed from the middle of his back down. This forced me and my parents to make a crucial decision.
We could’ve chosen to pay a lot of money for a surgery that might not work, or choose to get him doggy wheels and he would always be paralyzed. It was a tough decision and I remember crying when I saw the scared look in my dog’s eyes because he couldn’t stand up. We decided to pay for the surgery and hoped for the best. When he came out surgery and was able to come home it was very difficult. I was heartbreaking to watch him sit …show more content…
He walks with a slight limp in his one leg and when he tries to run his back legs move in sync instead of one in front of the other. We had to make accommodations for him since he is unable to use steps. He has his own ramp that he uses to get off of the front porch and we have to pick him up any other steps or when he wants to get onto the couch. He is now happier than ever and will have celebrating his thirteenth birthday this month.
Having this happen to my dog taught me to really appreciate the one’s you love because they could be fine the one day and something life changing could happen the next. Having him as a pet has made me realize that I would like to pursue a career in animal science or animal behavior when I am older. Today, I am very grateful that my dog was able to walk again and I value every day that him and my family are