On September 1st I will be running Cardiff 10K in memory of Beautiful Bella and all the other Dachshunds who we've lost and are living with this disease. I'm aiming to beat my 2017 time of 57mins - With any luck!!

Bella was a brave IVDD Warrior and captured all our hearts during her ups and downs of living with IVDD. We all followed her adventures (we loved seeing her in her happy places), admired her determination, will and strength (and also admired her amazing collection of colorful bandanas) .

Sadly, in April Bella crossed the rainbow bridge after another IVDD attack, one she was unable to recover from. Julie and Jim made the most difficult decision to let Bella sleep pain free. Her loss left the dachshund community devastated and it brought home once again the importance of being IVDD aware.

On behalf of North Wales Dachshunds I'm running this yea'rs 10K in Bella's memory. Our little group have had a few dachshunds affected by IVDD too. Having spoken to Julie, her wish was for any funds raised to be split between The Dachshund Breed Counil and Dedicated to Dachshunds with IVDD.

The Dachshund Breed Council's screening programme has been put in place to help breeders screen their dogs. Subsidies are offered to breeders for screening, which will then hopefully encourage breeders to use dogs with a low back score for breeding.

Dedicated to Dachshunds with IVDD provides equipment on loan to owners who need assistance. As well as having an amazing community for support and advice on all things dachshund.

As a dachshund owner myself, the worry that Seth could be struck down with this is always at the back of my mind. I think it is so important to fund research, support fellow fallen doxies and raise awareness of this debilitating disease. On top of any owner's list should also be insurnace! Get the right cover and make sure the cover is sufficient to cover all the vet's fees involved with IVDD.

Here are some links to read up on IVDD:-

Dachshund Breed Counil - Website

Dachshund Breed Council -Face Book Page

Dedicated to Dachshunds with IVDD - Face Book Page

Dachshunds IVDD UK - Facebook Page