Stacey Solomon was left sobbing as she revealed heartbreaking news about her family dog Teddy.
The Loose Women star, 34, shares her Pickle Cottage home with husband Joe Swash, their children and a host of pets. Earlier this year, their rescue spaniel Teddy was suddenly struck down by a serious spinal problem, leaving Stacey and Joe facing an agonising decision over his future.
Viewers of her BBC One series Stacey and Joe saw the moment Stacey rushed Teddy to the vet after he collapsed and could no longer stand. Fighting back tears, she embraced Joe and son Zachary before telling them: “It’s not that good. You come in and speak to her. I feel really bad. I don’t know what to do.”
Joe later explained on camera: “At the moment, there’s a 70 per cent chance that he’ll never be able to use his legs again. He’s slipped a disc in his back which is crushing his spinal cord and making him paralysed. Is it fair putting him through an operation with such little chance of recovery? But then, he’s part of our family.”
Despite the bleak prognosis, the couple decided to proceed with surgery. On the drive home Stacey phoned her sister Gemma in tears, saying: “He’s only got a 30 per cent chance of recovery. She didn’t say there’s 0 per cent chance so what do you do? You have to give it a go, don’t you?”
Admitting she dreaded breaking the news to her children, Stacey added: “Because he might not come home, Gem.”
Months on, the mother-of-five gave an update to fans on Instagram. Teddy survived the operation but was left permanently paralysed. In a video, the former X Factor finalist revealed he is adapting to life in a specially designed wheelchair.
“Thank you for always asking after Teddy,” she told followers. “He will never be able to use his legs again, but he’s such a happy boy. You just get on with it, don’t you Teddy?”
The star was inundated with supportive messages, with fans praising her for giving Teddy “a second chance at life”.
