How 'Ivy The Very Determined Dog' Is Inspiring Others Even During Quarantine

In April 2019, Maureen and Chris Harrington, a married couple from Boston, Massachusetts, released the children’s book, Ivy the Very Determined Dog. The picture book details the story of their resilient 6-year-old French BullDog, Ivy.

We were lucky enough to speak to Maureen on a recent episode of the Woof Life Show. She explained that on Ivy’s third birthday, the pup woke up howling in excruciating pain. The couple rushed to an emergency animal hospital where it was determined that she had Intervertebral Disc Disease, a genetic disease that is relatively common in French Bulldogs. Due to a herniated disc, Ivy required emergency surgery. Unfortunately, while the veterinary staff was monitoring her, another disc slipped, causing her to be paralyzed from the waist down. Once Ivy was out of surgery, Maureen and Chris were notified that she would not regain movement of her hind legs.

“I remember it so vividly because it was awful -- it was like somebody telling you your child, you know, is now going to have this super huge challenge in their life. My husband and I were looking at each other like ‘oh my gosh how is she going to be happy and do simple things?’” said Maureen.

The couple, however, was up for the challenge. Maureen noted that at first Ivy appeared to be “depressed” over her circumstance. Soon, however, she was able to figure out how to walk on her front legs and her mood seemed to have improved.

Less than two months after Ivy’s surgery, the Harringtons decided to contact Eddie’s Wheels, a custom dog wheelchair manufacturer owned by Eddie and Leslie Grinnell in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. After sending in Ivy’s measurements, a wheelchair, just her size, was sent over to their house. Despite the pup being initially hesitant to use the chair, she now loves it and is even faster than she was before her injury. A character in the picture book is actually named Eddie as an homage to the incredible company.

During her recovery period, Maureen and Chris made Ivy the Instagram account, @ivy.the.frenchie, with the intention of updating their loved ones on her condition. However, the page took off and soon amassed thousands of followers, many of which privately messaged the Harringtons, stating that they had been inspired by Ivy. While this delighted the couple, they wanted to reach a younger audience, namely elementary school age children, who typically do not have access to Instagram.

This is when the Harringtons came up with the idea to write Ivy the Very Determined Dog. Maureen clarified that while neither she nor her husband are writers, they were able to come up with a powerful story in rhyming verses. After about a year and a half of hard work, the book was published by Bromfield Press.

Since the book’s publication, the couple has taken Ivy to elementary schools and children’s hospitals in the Boston area for storytimes. Maureen stated that many children have questions about Ivy’s “wheelchair and how she became disabled”. She noted that the experience is “such a great way to teach [kids] it's okay to be different, it’s okay to not look like you or walk like you or talk like you.” The author also stated that many children who are in hospitals relate to Ivy’s experience and find her story to be a source of strength.

However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the couple and their pup have been unable to hold in-person readings. Thankfully, they have come up with a solution while social distancing. Every Thursday at 1 pm Eastern Standard Time, fans can join Ivy, her adorable sister, Rosie, another Frenchie, and a special guest on Instagram live. So if you have kids or you just want to watch something adorable while quarantining, be sure to watch the virtual storytimes. We know we’ll be joining in!

Listen to the podcast episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ivy-very-determined-dog-featuring-maureen-harrington/id1468716596?i=1000449566387

Dog Books, Instadogs, Community, Dog OwnersNicole MooreMay 10, 2020books, Ivy the Very Determined Dog, French Bulldog, Special Needs Dog, quarantine, children's booksComment