Ken has always been a jumper. 6 months ago, he launched himself off the living room couch just like he’s done a million times before, but this time he landed wrong on the hardwood floor. He let out a sharp yelp and immediately pulled his back right leg up, refusing to put any weight on it.

Seeing him hobble around looking so confused and in pain was absolutely heartbreaking. We rushed him to the vet and got the diagnosis: a torn CCL (the dog equivalent of an ACL). Because of his build, Corgis have so much weight on those short little legs, the vet explained that this is incredibly common.

We opted for conservative management. The vet put him on a strict regimen of anti-inflammatories and pain medications, and recommended we get him a knee brace to help mechanically stabilize the joint while the scar tissue slowly built up.

I want to be completely honest: the recovery process is exhausting. If you have a Corgi, Dachshund, or any dwarf breed, please invest in couch ramps and rugs. You do not want to go through this. We spent months carrying Ken up and down the stairs, taking him out to pee on a tiny leash, and keeping him confined when all he wanted to do was play

But fast forward to today, 6 months later. We just got back from our firstnormal neighborhood walk, and Ken didn't limp a single time. He was sniffing everything, his ears were pinned back in that happy Corgi smile, and he was just enjoying being a dog again. My partner and I actually teared up watching him waddle around the yard this afternoon. The relief of finally having our happy, active boy back is indescribable

If you are currently in the thick of crate rest and joint injuries with your dog, hang in there. It is a slow, stressful process, but seeing them finally walk pain-free makes every single difficult day worth it

6 months ago, my Corgi tore his CCL jumping off the couch. Today, he finally went for a walk without a limp