Monday, December 14, 2009

The Cousins are coming! A happy ending to a puppy's struggle with CMD


Biggyfy the photo for a better view
In the spring of last year, my son Jeff and his family decided that it was time to add a pooch into their family. Fully two years before, they had lost their Retriever/Newfie X, Angie, at the age of 15.5 years. They loved Angie so dearly that it took quite a while for them to think about adopting again.

Shortly after Cody arrived they heard about a little retriever mix pup at our animal shelter and thought that as long as they were training one - heck, they could train two. Little did they know that when they adopted Suzie they were getting more than a puppy. They were getting a puppy with canine muscular dystrophy. Not fatal and not progressive after the first year, they kept Suzie even though the shelter said they would take her back. After all, Jeff told me, you just don't get rid of a family member when they run into a rough patch.



Canine muscular dystrophy can be really, really bad or it can be mild. Thankfully, Suzie's case is mild. She receives special vitamins and nutrition as well as loads of love from her human family and her furry brofur.



Jeff was out running errands last week and had his pups (now 18 months old) with him. Needless to say, a round of happy play in the snow took place with my two and their furry cousins. What is beautiful about Cody's relationship with his sisfur is that he senses that she is more delicate and will compensate for her disability when they play. It's sweet to watch and it's sweet for me to have a son that doesn't give up on an animal just because it isn't PURRfect. And - especially sweet was watching Suzie smile and play in my yard with Scout, Freyja and her doggy sibling.

National Canine Cancer Foundation

16 comments:

JacksDad said...

What a wonderful story - and what a wonderful family - both puppies AND peoples!
Thank you for sharing!

dArtagnan Rumblepurr/Diego Hamlet Moonfur said...

That card is so brilliant!

Ms. ~K said...

Please give your son a big Southern hug/thanks for me!!!
Hugs and belly rubs to all the pooches,
Kit

♥I am Holly♥ said...

That is just so sweet!!! Treats and hugs to all the pooches and some extra kisses too!

Backcountry Brodie said...

That is so neat! You have a good son. We always find special needs animals to be well, special!

Teddy Bear said...

I love it! Cousins are the best!!!

Love,
Teddy Bear

Golden Samantha said...

Ohhhh - those puppies are soooo cuute and your son is a GEM!!!! A wonderful story with a Christmas like spirited end - makes me smile big time. And so very cool that Scout and Freyja played with those 18 monthers too! Woo Hoo! Happy snow time!
Hugs xo
Sammie

Moose said...

So sweet! You should be very proud. I have never heard of CMD but glad she only has a mild case. She is lucky for that and to have someone help her through it!

Yas said...

Beautiful addition to the family!
That's what i call a happy ending christmas tail, whoops i mean, tale!

Cheers,
Maxx

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Your son has such a special caring heart. This story and every story you tell touches us so deeply.
And in this case we are so happy all the cousins can be together to share the love and help take the love with Suzie
Thank you for sharing
love
tweedles

Sam said...

What a wonderful story. Your son and his family are really special people, and Suzie sounds like an awesome puppy.

I love the collage of all of them playing together!

bbes tribe said...

What a wonderful story about your Son and family and Susie. That is great. Love the pics of the pups.
Merry Christmas & hugs to you all.
TAilwags
Ernie & Sasha

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree in your family, does it? what a beautiful story - thank goodness for people like you and your family.

Woos, Phantom and Thunder

Bailey said...

This is a great blog!

happy Holidays!

Canine Crusader said...

Cute puppy pics! You go Jeff, we love you!

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

So heartwarming!!! Thank you so much for sharing the story and the cute, cute, CUTE pictures!!!

Smileys!
Dory