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If you’ve ever loved a dog through mobility loss, you know how hard it is to watch them miss out on the things they once loved. I’ve been there with large dogs later in life, and it never gets easier.<\/p>\n
And when it’s an activity like swimming<\/a>, something they used to light up over, it hits even harder.<\/p>\n But for these beautiful German Shepherds<\/strong> living with degenerative myelopathy, or DM, they\u2019re not missing out.<\/p>\n Not even close.<\/p>\n Their dad found a simple way to help them stay in the water, and the result is something special to watch.<\/p>\n You can see it in this April 8 TikTok from @rahamx<\/a>:<\/p>\n Using nothing more than a pool noodle, this dog dad gives his pups the extra support they need to stay afloat, letting them paddle, splash, and move in ways that still feel natural.<\/p>\n And the difference? You can see it immediately.<\/p>\n They’re not struggling. They’re not sitting it out. They’re right there in the water, doing what they love.<\/p>\n Related: Rescue German Shepherd Puppy Survives Horrible Head Injury and ‘Proves Everyone Wrong’ By Thriving<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n For dogs dealing with mobility challenges, that kind of support can make a huge difference. And just as it does for us, the weightlessness in the water likely brings them some relief while still allowing them to move and stay active.<\/p>\n Degenerative myelopathy,<\/a> often shortened to DM, is a progressive neurological condition that affects a dog’s spinal cord. According to\u00a0Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine,<\/em> it gradually impairs coordination and mobility, especially in the hind legs. Other conditions, like IVDD, can cause similar challenges, which is why low-impact movement like swimming is often recommended when possible.<\/p>\n And that’s exactly what makes this so special.<\/p>\n These dogs aren’t being defined by what they’ve lost. They’re still in the water, still moving, still getting to enjoy something that clearly means everything to them.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc36<\/a>SIGN UP to get \u201cpawsitivity\u201d delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends<\/a>\ud83d\udc3e\ud83d\udc3e<\/a><\/p>\n One person joked, “The inventor of pool noodles had no idea they were going to make something this useful. Best thing since sliced bread? Nah\u2014best thing since pool noodles.”<\/p>\n Another added, “Thank you for sharing! We’ll be doing this.”<\/p>\n And someone else said it best: “Still living their best lives.”<\/p>\n They\u2019re just as happy out of the water, too. You can see it in this April 17 video, where the pair rolls up for a well-earned pup cup at a caf\u00e9:<\/p>\n Even though these beautiful German Shepherds<\/a> have a disability, their family focuses on what\u2019s still possible. And they make sure their boys get to enjoy what they love most.<\/p>\n This story was originally published by Parade Pets<\/a> on Apr 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News<\/a> section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\nDegenerative Myelopathy in Dogs Causes Progressive Loss of Mobility<\/h2>\n