Latest news with #Tyrion
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Owner Captures Moment Paralyzed Dog Walks Again After a Year: 'Amazing'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A paralyzed dog's inspiring recovery through hydrotherapy has melted the hearts of internet viewers. Dagmar Gudmundsson (@diggydagg), 28, from Boise, Isaho, adopted Tyrion, now 8, while she was a college student at the University of California. The decision to bring him home began as a drunk decision between college mates that resulted in a road trip the following day to pick him up. Tyrion cost $300 and was "covered in fleas and ticks." "[It] felt like I rescued him once I saw the condition he was in," Gudmundsson told Newsweek. "I took him to every class with me and was very diligent about his training. "We didn't have a fenced yard, so it was important that he understood what a curb was and not to ever go in the street. He was a fast learner and a huge lover. I don't think I knew how much I was getting into when I initially got him, but he quickly became my world." From left: Tyrion completes his hydrotherapy. From left: Tyrion completes his hydrotherapy. @diggydagg/@diggydagg Six years later, Gudmundsson's life turned upside down, when she noticed something strange about Tyrion's walk, which led to a shock diagnosis and paralysis. "It's heartbreaking when your pet becomes paralyzed or disabled," Gudmundsson said. A video documenting Tyrion's hydrotherapy sessions has garnered more than 654,000 likes and over 4.6 million views. In the footage, the small dog walks on a submerged treadmill, his legs moving in steady, reflexive steps. "POV [point of view]: You take your dog to hydrotherapy and something amazing happens," Gudmundsson wrote as the text overlaying the video. For the past year and a half, Tyrion has attended weekly hydrotherapy sessions—so successfully that "people don't even recognize he is paralyzed anymore." Tyrion has been unable to feel anything in his back legs or tail since March 2024, but the movements are the result of reflex and muscle memory. During sessions, the hydrotherapist pinches his tail to stimulate motion. Gudmundsson said Tyrion had always been healthy—up to date on vaccinations, active, and on a good diet—with no warning signs of illness. On March 2, 2024, while they were playing fetch indoors, he took a short nap on the couch. When Tyrion woke and began walking toward her, his steps looked strange. Concerned, Gudmundsson put him on the ground to watch him walk again and noticed his back legs were slightly wobbly. "It wasn't overwhelmingly concerning, but, like I said, he's my world. So I decided to take him to the emergency vet just in case," Gudmundsson said. Within four hours, Tyrion had lost all function and feeling in his back legs. At first, veterinarians suspected Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), a common condition in long-bodied, short-legged dogs like dachshunds and corgis. An MRI, however, revealed his discs were healthy. Instead, his spinal cord was severely inflamed. After extensive testing, Tyrion was diagnosed with MUO (Meningoencephalomyelitis of Unknown Origin), specifically GME (granulomatous meningoencephalitis) and myelopathy—an autoimmune disease in which his body attacked his own spinal cord, causing paralysis. Tyrion received medication to reduce inflammation for a few weeks, but there was no injury or surgery to recover from—only the need to adapt to life as a paralyzed dog. "He was a little sad and confused for about two weeks. After that, he bounced back to being the happy dog he always was," Gudmundsson said. "The resilience of dogs is incredible. He didn't sit around feeling bad for himself. He just had to learn how to scoot around and then he was ready to dive into life again. His wheelchair really helped with his confidence and activity level as well." Hydrotherapy became a key part of his rehabilitation, alongside physical therapy, red light therapy, and acupuncture. Gudmundsson said that spinal walking—when a paralyzed dog walks using spinal reflexes rather than brain signals—was possible because his neurologist had initially noticed mild hip flexion. Gudmundsson said: "Even though Tyrion can't feel or control his back legs, the nerves in his spinal cord can still trigger a stepping motion, letting him walk in a stiff, mechanical way." Acupuncture, she added, "woke up" his nerves. At first, hydrotherapy required the vet to manually move his legs in the tank, but, over time, his reflexes and muscle memory strengthened. Now, Tyrion walks in the tank on his own for 20 minutes each week. On land, he can stand and take a few steps, though his legs sometimes cross and tangle before he continues. "It's pretty mind-blowing watching him 'walk' knowing that he is 100 percent paralyzed in his back legs," Gudmundsson said. She is even launching her own disabled dog apparel brand—Wag & Wheel. She shares Tyrion's journey online to bring hope to other pet owners facing similar challenges. Gudmundsson said: "I hope to normalize owning a disabled animal and encourage others to do so by showing how happy, energetic, healthy, and normal Tyrion is. He doesn't need anyone's pity. I'm fairly certain he lives a better life than most." TikTok users were overcome with emotion from watching the pup's progress. "My boy is so proud of him. We're both cheering you guys on," said one. "I'm not crying, you're crying!" added Lisa. "HE'S SO CUTE IM DISINTEGRATING," added a third viewer. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Scotsman
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Pet tortoise cruises down wedding aisle in mini Audi
This video More videos Watch the heartwarming moment when a pet tortoise steals the limelight at his owners' wedding ceremony - when he cruises down the aisle wearing a tuxedo and riding a mini-Audi. Keep up with the latest new videos with the Shots! Newsletter. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A couple made their special day even more memorable by having their pet tortoise 'walk' down the aisle as a groomsman. Adorable video (click to play above) captures the moment when five year old tortoise, Tyrion, cruised down the aisle of Charlotte and Joe Dawson's wedding, in a miniature replica of Charlotte's white Audi A1 - which had everybody laughing in the pews! Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Charlotte and Joe Dawson, had their pet tortoise, Tyrion, five, roll down the aisle in style as one of Joe's groomsmen. | Twig's Branch Photography / SWNS Handmade tux for pet tortoise The beloved pet, seen in the clip above, even wore a bespoke handmade tuxedo for the occasion. Joe had given the Horsfield tortoise to Charlotte as a birthday gift four years ago, so including him in the wedding felt like the perfect choice. Tortoise followed the dress code Charlotte, a teaching assistant in Shaw, Oldham, said: "It was such a special day, we knew we wanted Tyrion there. We only spent eight months planning the wedding so we decided to just have our closest friends and family there. This of course had to include Tyrion and the reactions on the day were great! A couple made their special day a little extra special by including their pet tortoise in the wedding procession. | Twig's Branch Photography / SWNS "Everyone was laughing the whole time." When they decided to include Tyrion in Joe's wedding party, they knew he had to be dressed in black tie like the rest of the groomsmen. Fortunately, a friend of Charlotte's mother is a theatre costume designer and was able to quickly create a custom tuxedo for him for free. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Quirky pet had everyone laughing The couple also realized that it might take a while for a tortoise to walk all the way down the aisle so they bought a remote-control car for him to cruise in instead. A couple made their special day a little extra special by including their pet tortoise in the wedding procession. | Twig's Branch Photography / SWNS Charlotte said: "The theme for the wedding was black tie for the men and shimmer and sparkles for the women and the pets had to follow it as well. "So my mum's friend who worked in wardrobe at the Oldham Coliseum said she would make the tortoise his suit. "This was no problem for her as she'd made clothes for Sir Ian McKellen!
Scotsman
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Pet tortoise cruises down wedding aisle in mini Audi
This video More videos Watch the heartwarming moment when a pet tortoise steals the limelight at his owners' wedding ceremony - when he cruises down the aisle wearing a tuxedo and riding a mini-Audi. Keep up with the latest new videos with the Shots! Newsletter. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A couple made their special day even more memorable by having their pet tortoise 'walk' down the aisle as a groomsman. Adorable video (click to play above) captures the moment when five year old tortoise, Tyrion, cruised down the aisle of Charlotte and Joe Dawson's wedding, in a miniature replica of Charlotte's white Audi A1 - which had everybody laughing in the pews! Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Charlotte and Joe Dawson, had their pet tortoise, Tyrion, five, roll down the aisle in style as one of Joe's groomsmen. | Twig's Branch Photography / SWNS Handmade tux for pet tortoise The beloved pet, seen in the clip above, even wore a bespoke handmade tuxedo for the occasion. Joe had given the Horsfield tortoise to Charlotte as a birthday gift four years ago, so including him in the wedding felt like the perfect choice. Tortoise followed the dress code Charlotte, a teaching assistant in Shaw, Oldham, said: "It was such a special day, we knew we wanted Tyrion there. We only spent eight months planning the wedding so we decided to just have our closest friends and family there. This of course had to include Tyrion and the reactions on the day were great! A couple made their special day a little extra special by including their pet tortoise in the wedding procession. | Twig's Branch Photography / SWNS "Everyone was laughing the whole time." When they decided to include Tyrion in Joe's wedding party, they knew he had to be dressed in black tie like the rest of the groomsmen. Fortunately, a friend of Charlotte's mother is a theatre costume designer and was able to quickly create a custom tuxedo for him for free. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Quirky pet had everyone laughing The couple also realized that it might take a while for a tortoise to walk all the way down the aisle so they bought a remote-control car for him to cruise in instead. A couple made their special day a little extra special by including their pet tortoise in the wedding procession. | Twig's Branch Photography / SWNS Charlotte said: "The theme for the wedding was black tie for the men and shimmer and sparkles for the women and the pets had to follow it as well. "So my mum's friend who worked in wardrobe at the Oldham Coliseum said she would make the tortoise his suit. "This was no problem for her as she'd made clothes for Sir Ian McKellen!
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dog Suddenly Paralyzed After Living with Unknown Autoimmune Disease. Now He's Rediscovered Life on Wheels (Exclusive)
Dagmar Gudmundsson's dog, Tyrion, was left paralyzed after unknowingly living with an autoimmune disease The seven-year-old dog was fitted for a customized wheelchair, which he loves Gudmundsson shared her story on TikTok and started an online business, "Wag & Wheel," that donates to rescues and sanctuaries that care for disabled animalsNamed after the witty and resilient Game of Thrones character, Tyrion the Maltipoo has lived up to his name in more ways than one. With his boundless spirit, sweet face, and customized wheelchair, the seven-year-old dog is not just surviving — he's thriving. Tyrion's journey hasn't been easy, but his 28-year-old owner, Dagmar Gudmundsson, has been by his side since he was just eight weeks old. Tyrion had always been a healthy dog and never showed odd symptoms or warning signs. However, everything changed on March 2, 2024. That afternoon, Tyrion was playing fetch like usual before curling up next to his owner for a quick nap. When he woke up, something wasn't right. 'He woke up from the nap, I noticed he was like, kind of walking a little funny,' Gudmundsson tells PEOPLE exclusively. What followed was a rapid and terrifying progression. 'We went to the vet, and then we were there for a long time, but within like, three to four hours, he went from playing fetch to kind of walking wobbly, to absolutely no function, no movement in his back legs, nothing,' she recalls. 'Like it happened so fast.' Initially, the vet suspected intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), which can occur when the disc between a dog's vertebrae bursts and puts pressure on the spinal cord. It's especially common in dogs with long bodies and short legs, and although not always debilitating, it can lead to paralysis. Tyrion underwent an MRI to identify the affected disc, but the results told a different story. Instead of a burst disc, the MRI revealed that Tyrion's spinal cord was severely inflamed. 'They tried to figure out what's going on, and they figured out that he has an autoimmune disease. It's called GME (granulomatous meningoencephalitis),' she explains. 'It's a neurological thing, but, yeah, he has an autoimmune disease, and basically attacked his own spinal cord, and now he's paralyzed.' For Tyrion, the road to rehabilitation was slow. 'For the first six months or so of his paralysis, there was not a lot going on,' Gudmundsson says. With the help of acupuncture to stimulate his nerves and hydrotherapy sessions, where a therapist helped move Tyrion's legs in water, he began to make progress. About six or seven months in, Tyrion finally began trying to stand and take his first steps. Though he still can't feel pain in his legs due to the disconnection between his brain and spinal cord, Tyrion has started 'spinal walking.' While it's not a brain-directed movement, it's still walking, and it's nothing short of incredible. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Around a month after his paralysis, Tyrion was fitted for his wheelchair. 'And what's crazy about the wheelchairs… his physical therapist, who helped us set it up, she was like, 'Okay, just a warning, not all dogs like this. It's kind of 50/50, so don't get your hopes up,'' Gudmundsson recalls. Luckily, Tyrion took to it immediately. 'He's like, I'm free. I can run again – loved it immediately.' Though Tyrion doesn't wear his wheels all the time – often opting to drag himself indoors or in safe areas – he lights up whenever it's time for an outdoor adventure. 'You can just tell it's like for a normal dog, when you grab the leash and they get excited – when I grab his wheels, it's the same kind of reaction.' Caring for a paralyzed dog has not been without its challenges. In the beginning, the emotional weight was heavy. 'Honestly, I fell into a pretty deep depression,' Gudmundsson admits. 'But what really helped was I'd be like, on the couch crying, feeling bad for him, but also, honestly, kind of feeling bad for myself… And he would drag over to me and ... just give me this look like, 'What's up? Like, let's go for a walk. You want to play fetch?' ' It became clear that Tyrion wasn't grieving – rather, he was living. That realization only deepened with time. 'I had to just totally change my mindset,' his owner reveals. Gudmundsson began sharing their journey on TikTok, where they connected with others who had similar experiences. The support was validating. 'People were telling me I was doing a good job, which, in the beginning, I really didn't feel like I was.' Physically, the hardest part has been managing Tyrion's bladder. He needs help expressing it four times a day to prevent infection, something that requires a consistent, hands-on routine. 'Thankfully, I don't have a 9 to 5, because I don't know how that would work,' she says. 'It really has to be done on a schedule, regularly.' Still, despite the hurdles, the experience has transformed their bond. 'Sometimes I'm like, maybe we've gotten too close?' Gudmundsson jokes. 'But whatever, you know, he's like my best friend, it doesn't matter.' Reflecting on everything they've been through together, Tyrion's owner feels stronger and wiser. 'Life is harder for him than other dogs, but it doesn't mean you can't also have the joy and the fun and whatnot,' Gudmundsson tells PEOPLE. 'So I think my brain and the way I think about things has really evolved and grown, which has been incredibly rewarding, and I think made me a better person at the end of the day.' Her business, "Wag & Wheel," is launching soon with a website offering apparel and accessories for owners of disabled dogs, including colorful hats. After struggling to find meaningful products, she designed her own to celebrate the pride of having a disabled dog. A portion of the profits will go to rescues and sanctuaries that care for disabled animals. Read the original article on People
USA Today
19-04-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Watch Tyrion the Maltipoo 'doing zoomies' in a custom wheelchair a year after paralysis
Watch Tyrion the Maltipoo 'doing zoomies' in a custom wheelchair a year after paralysis At first, Tyrion's owner was devastated with her dog's diagnosis. But the pooch's positive attitude and adaptability to his wheelchair changed everything. She says he 'comes to life in his wheels.' Show Caption Hide Caption Watch this paralyzed dog on the move thanks to a custom wheelchair Tyrion, a dog from Boise, Idaho, who became paralyzed due to a rare autoimmune disease, gets a second chance to run again thanks to a custom wheelchair. One day last March, Dagmar Gudmundsson and her 7-year-old dog Tyrion were relaxing at home in Idaho when she noticed something was off: Tyrion was walking weirdly. At first she thought it was in her head but soon she knew something wasn't right with the Maltipoo (a cross between a poodle and a Maltese) "I wasn't freaking out, but it was just off," Gudmundsson told USA TODAY from Boise. "I'm cautious (so) I took him to vet anyways, and I'm glad I did, because within four hours, he lost all function in his back legs." Gudmundsson, who has had Tyroin since he was 8 weeks old in 2017, said the dog had been healthy all his life and that his vaccines were up to date, so the incident came out of nowhere. "It happened so fast," she said. "Like we were literally playing fetch, and four hours later, he was paralyzed. It's not like he had a fall or slip or anything. It was really scary and confusing." A plethora of tests later, the vets concluded that Tyrion has an autoimmune disease. "It's likely he had it his whole life, but it was lying dormant," Gudmundsson said. 'Ready to do anything' While the incident shattered Gudmundsson, she decided you would give it her all to help Tyrion heal. "It was so scary, and I was devastated," Gudmundsson said. "I got this dog when I was 20 years old, and he's been with me through break-ups and job changes and moving and everything that comes in your 20s. He means everything to me, so I was ready to do anything." Once the diagnosis came in, Tyrion's treatment started. He started taking medication to get the inflammation in the spinal cord settled down. Fortunately, that did not take too long, and Tyrion soon started physical therapy and red light therapy. He was put in a wheelchair about two months later. Tyrion loves his wheels Tyrion, named after the infamous "Game of Thrones" character Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), has been paralyzed for a little more than a year but his diagnosis had not deterred his spirit. "He really does come to life when he's in his wheels," Gudmundsson said. She explained that Tyrion is not in his wheels 24/7 but wears them for about an hour or two every day when he goes for walks and to socialize with other pups. "The reason being is that he can drag himself around the house and in our backyard really easily," Gudmundsson said. "He's only really in the wheelchair when we're going outside or going for a walk on concrete or gravel where it wouldn't be safe for him to drag himself around." Videos of Tyrion zooming around in his wheelchair have garnered immense popularity on social media, and Gudmundsson said he loves his wheels. "His favorite activity is being in his wheelchair and doing zoomies," she said. "Especially around other dogs because when he's in his wheelchair, he can actually keep up and zoom around with everybody and you can just see how happy he is doing that." While other dogs and pups initially get scared around Tyrion and his wheelchair, they eventually warm up to him, Gudmundsson said. "Other dogs are typically a little standoffish at first and it'll take maybe 15 or 20 minutes of us being at the park for everybody to finally warm up to him and be like, 'OK, you're cool," Gudmundsson said. Humans, on the other hand, are quick to respond to Tyrion. "Everybody thinks he's the cutest thing, especially in his wheelchair," Gudmundsson said. "It's a pretty cute sight and with his custom license plate, people love that." Advice for pet owners in similar predicaments Tyrion and Gudmundsson are now happily settled into their lives. Tyrion still has therapy sessions and goes for hydrotherapy on an underwater treadmill once a week. But the journey has been filled ups and downs. "I was pretty depressed those first few months because I just felt like I had lost this," Gudmundsson said. "It was a huge, huge shock. But it was actually Tyrion, who while I was crying, would drag his little butt over to me and be like, 'Are we gonna play?' Are we gonna go for a walk?'" For people in similar situations, Gudmundsson said the best way to start the healing process would be to "admit it is terrifying and heartbreaking." "He adapted so quickly so I had to get over the fact that he's not sad (and) I don't have to be sad," she continued. "It is so devastating and that's OK to feel all of that, but it really does get so much better with time. Things just fall into a routine, and it gets easier. You get used to this new version of your dog." She added that documenting her journey on TikTok helped her connect with pet owners in similar situations. Wag & Wheel Gudmundsson now hopes to raise more awareness about pets with disabilities. She has started her own line of products with images of wheelchair dogs on them. "In the early few months, I felt really proud of myself for putting in the work and effort, so I would try to find a shirt or a hat or something with a little wheelchair dog on it that I could wear proudly," Gudmundsson said. When she didn't come across anything appealing, she decided to start her own line of Tyrion-inspired products, Wag & Wheel, and is aiming to launch a collection of hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts and tote bags. "I can't be the only one who wants to be proud of their pet and wear a shirt or a hat with something that represents their pet," Gudmundsson said. "I'm excited to make sure other people can have the opportunity to have these things, too." Gudmundsson said she plans on giving a portion of profit away to rescues and sanctuaries that focus on disabled animals. "I feel really fortunate," Gudmundsson says. "I mean Tyrion has just the best attitude and is so go with the flow. He brings me back down to Earth most days because he's just happy and chill and just happy to be here." This story was updated to fix a typo. Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
