Olive Watson: She’s One Spirited Little Dachshund

Meet the amazing Miss Olive Watson!

Olive, 10, is a black and tan dachshund. She lives in Paducah with Jill and Eric Watson. In 1998, before going on a cruise, the Watsons decided to buy a dachshund puppy and chose Olive's name after being inspired by the olive whelk shells on Sanibel Island.

When they returned, they visited with a litter of dachshunds.

"There was a cute little double dapple we were looking at," Jill recalls. "She made her way over to back up against my legs, and the next thing I knew, she crawled up on Eric's shoulder. I knew then Olive was coming home with us."

On Saturday, August 31, 2002, Olive sat down and couldn't get up.

"I immediately called the vet and told them I thought something was wrong with her back," Jill says. "When her vet, Dr. Gene Ceglinski, saw she couldn't get up, he knew she had ruptured a disc. She had no deep pain sensation."

Doc did diagnostic studies and discussed surgery, telling the Watsons there was only about a 10 percent chance Olive would walk again. "There were no second thoughts — we said to go ahead," Jill says. "She was in surgery within two hours of the injury. It was the most excruciating time of our lives."

Eric and Jill tried everything to help Olive walk again, but after four months they got her a cart. "She has been going strong ever since," Jill says. "In the house, she scoots on her bottom, and we made ramps for her to slide down two stairs. It's quite a sight to see."

Olive likes to go for walks and visit anyone in her path — she knows no strangers. And she loves to go with the Watsons to Florida each year.

"She loves to run on the beach in her cart," Jill says. "Her most favorite thing is 'fishing.' She has a practice plug that we cast for her to run and chase. We always say we've got a 'whopper' on the line when she catches it. She'll fish until she's ready to drop."

It's not all fun and games. Every rare treasure has its cost; with every privilege comes responsibility. Olive needs assistance going to the bathroom. Eric and Jill have to help empty her bladder every four hours. Complications in older paraplegic dogs include incontinence and bladder infections, and Olive is no exception. Now she sits on waterproof pads everywhere she goes just in case she has an accident.

"There is no doubt that we had to make a lifestyle change," Jill concedes. "But she is worth it."

Dachshunds are prone to back injuries. Jill suggests that dachshund owners try to keep them from jumping off furniture and sitting up on their hind legs, as preventive measures can help. For more information, visit dodgerslist.com.

When asked what Olive means to the couple, Jill is passionate. "Olive means the world to us. She's a little angel who brings a special message to everyone she meets. Having a disability isn't the end of the world; you just make a few adaptations and go on with your life.

"Animals don't have the same social issues we do," Jill adds. "If someone makes fun, they don't know it. If they have to hop and scoot to get around, they don't see it as a disability. It's a lot harder on you than it is for them to live with a disability. Olive has taught us so much about living life to its fullest and making each moment count."

Eric even wrote a beautiful song for his inspirational little dog. Have a hanky handy as you watch this sweet video!

Rock on, Olive Watson! 

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