Nala's Story: A Little Different, Still Unstoppable

Some dogs change your life in ways you never could have expected. For us, that dog is Nala.

We adopted Nala from a local rescue on October 24, 2017, when she was about a year old. She was always a little clumsy, but for several years, it was simply part of what made her Nala.

As she got older, though, we started noticing that her balance was getting worse. She fell more often and had trouble getting onto the couch or bed. Eventually, walking became difficult enough that we knew we needed to find ways to help her stay active and comfortable.

For a few years, we used a harness to support her while she walked. It worked well for a while, but as she got older, even that became harder. By March 2025, we knew she needed something more.

That's when we found Tyson's Love & Hope on Wheels and, eventually, a wheelchair that could support all four of Nala's legs. Getting the wheelchair was one thing, but learning how to use it was another.

Nala was slow to figure it out. For weeks, we'd encourage her to take just a few steps at a time, and sometimes the only thing that could convince her to move was her favorite treat: Cheez-Its. Yes, the human snack. Nala absolutely loves them.

Then one day, we were at a local park, trying (unsuccessfully), to convince her to walk a little farther than usual, when she saw a stranger walking nearby. Nala loves people, so naturally, she decided that person needed to be greeted.

And she walked....on her own.

For the first time in a very long time, we watched our girl walk toward someone simply because she wanted to say hello...and from there, something clicked.

Once Nala realized her wheelchair wasn't holding her back, it was giving her freedom, she became unstoppable. She could go for walks again, explore, follow us around, and do all the things she loved, just a little differently.

We still don't know exactly what causes Nala's mobility issues. Her veterinarian suspects a neurological condition, but whatever the underlying cause, it's not something that can simply be fixed. And that's okay. Nala isn't in pain, she has a great life, and she just has to do some things differently.

She's also got a few more grey hairs these days, but she's still the same Nala. She still loves people and adventures, and she still believes every stranger at the park is a potential new best friend.

Her wheelchair didn't change who she is; it simply gave her a way to keep being herself.

She just has to do life a little differently. And that's okay. 🐾

Nala's wheelchair came to us through Tyson's Love & Hope on Wheels, an organization that has become very special to our family. Their kindness gave Nala something we weren't sure we'd be able to give her ourselves: the freedom to keep moving.

We will always be grateful that they were there when Nala needed help. Because of them, she has been able to keep enjoying walks, exploring the world, and greeting every person she meets. Their support didn't just provide equipment; it gave our girl confidence, independence, and more time doing the things she loves.

That is a gift we'll never forget.

If you'd like to support Tyson's Love & Hope on Wheels, you can help them provide that same kind of hope and freedom to other pets in need: Donate to Tyson's Love & Hope on Wheels.

Thank you for celebrating Nala's journey with us and for helping us share the message that every dog deserves the chance to keep moving forward.

With love,
Nala ❤️